Public Health Ontario has confirmed 36 cases of the B.1.617 variant, also known as the "double mutant" variant of COVID-19. The variant was first detected in India.
30 cases were found through screening programs at airport and land crossings. All cases are associated with international travel.
This variant is currently a "Variant of Interest" for the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This variant has caused India to see over 300,000 cases daily in India.
Canada has banned all direct flights into the country from India and Pakistan.