Read on Twitter
Not the news we wanted to hear: B.1.1.7 detected in Canada. B.1.1.7 strain has accumulated multiple mutations and shows strong evidence for being selectively favoured over other #COVID19 variants, increasing transmission rates (no evidence of an effect on death rate or immunity).
This figure shows the evidence: Each dot is a different health region in England and/or a different week. The y-axis is the factor by which B.1.1.7 changed in frequency in that area in that week. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigation-of-novel-sars-cov-2-variant-variant-of-concern-20201201
Yes, you're reading that right: a 50% increase in frequency per week or a 6% increase per day. That is extremely strong selection. The two cases detected in Ontario had no history of travel or contact with travellers, indicating community transmission. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-reports-two-more-days-of-2000-plus-cases-of-covid-19/
What does that mean? We need to hunker down, even more now, & slow spread of this variant until we can learn about how it transmits better & to whom. Masks on, even outside, is prob a good idea for now. Avoid travel. Self-isolate after travelling (even btwn provinces if u can).
