How do you discover new covid variants ? TEST ! First, a person needs to get a COVID-19 test. Then, that positive test is sent to be screened for the variant mutation, and if the mutation is detected, the sample is then sent for genome sequencing to identify the specific type of variant. Only after those results come back does that information get published on government public health sites and reports.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER VARIANTS?
Provinces are also currently sequencing for new and emerging variants.
Public Health Ontario says that on top of sequencing for the current variants of concern, they will be sequencing up to 10 per cent of all positive cases by Feb. 17. The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services is currently sequencing 8.5 per cent as of Feb. 11, but has plans to sequence 10 per cent and later 15 per cent of all cases for newer variants.
In British Columbia, a new variant labelled B.1525 was identified on Feb.12 after a positive case was linked to travel in Nigeria. This variant is the first of its kind to be found in Canada.