First case of BA.2.86 variant of Covid found in British Columbia

The first case of the BA.2.86 variant of Covid has been reported in Canada.

This is the first case found in British Columbia.

B.C. health officials have confirmed this variant.

B.C.'s Centers for Disease Control confirmed that the variant was found in a person in the Fraser Health Region, east of Vancouver, who has not traveled outside the province.

Medical Director of Vancouver Infectious Disease Control Dr. Brian Conway says the new BA.2.86 variant has not yet been shown to cause more severe disease.

Conway says the first case being recorded here in B.C. is a reminder that COVID never truly went away

The new vaccine will prove to be the most effective in protecting against the new variants.

Health officials have advised people to stay home when sick, wear masks as needed, wash hands frequently and get appropriate vaccines on time.

B.C. Health Officer Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a joint statement that the new variant does not seem to have increased the severity of Covid and the infected person is not hospitalized.

Bonnie said that although this variant is not spreading rapidly, but it will be monitored.