Question Period Note: COVID-19 VARIANTS OF CONCERN

• How is the Government of Canada monitoring and addressing emerging COVID-19 variants?

KEY MESSAGES
• The Public Health Agency of Canada is closely monitoring emerging COVID-19 variants of concern.
• We are aware of COVID-19 variants of concern circulating internationally, four of which have been identified in Canada: B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), and B.1.617.2 (Delta).
• We are participating in international efforts, including with partners at the World Health Organization, to develop a standardized approach to assessing and grading COVID-19 variants. Reference frameworks continue to be refined as we build the knowledge base and better understand the COVID-19 variants and their potential implications.
• There is no conclusive evidence that the variants of concern identified in Canada to date impact testing devices used in Canada.
• The public health measures we have been practicing continue to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, including the variants of concern.
• We are aware that vaccine manufacturers are investigating the impacts of these variants of concern on their vaccines.
• Surveillance and research are ongoing, and we will continue to communicate information to Canadians as our knowledge develops.

IF PRESSED ON VARIANTS
• All viruses mutate over time, and the virus that causes COVID-19 will also naturally mutate (i.e., change the genetic material in the virus).
• Most genetic mutations have little to no impact on the characteristics of the virus. Scientists monitor changes to viruses so that if a significant mutation is identified, we can adapt and respond to limit its spread.
• “Variants of concern” are viruses that have a confirmed impact on the characteristics of the virus.
• A variant is “of concern” when it is associated with :
o Increased disease spread;
o Increased disease severity;
o Decreased effectiveness of vaccines, treatments, diagnostics, or public health measures
• The variant of concern Alpha is the predominant variant of concern circulating in Canada. Monitoring of variants of concern Beta, Gamma and Delta is ongoing.
• We are closely monitoring a number of additional variants of COVID-19. Scientists in Canada and around the world are evaluating these variants and their key mutations; until these assessments are made, these are currently categorized as “variants of interest” rather than variants of concern.

IF PRESSED ON LABORATORY / RESEARCH WORK…
• In April 2020, the Government of Canada contributed $40 million to support the creation of the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network to help understand the genetic variations of the COVID-19 virus as it evolves.
• On February 12, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $53 million in an integrated Variants of Concern Strategy to increase our capacity to find and track variants of concern.
• To implement the Strategy:

o The National Microbiology Lab is providing $20 million, and the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network is providing $8 million, to increase genomic sequencing and real-time data sharing capacity.
o The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is also providing up to $25 million to increase our understanding of emerging variants and provide decision makers with rapid guidance for drug therapy, vaccine effectiveness, and other public health strategies.

BACKGROUND
The Government of Canada is closely monitoring genetic variation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Canadian and global medical, public health and research communities are actively evaluating these genetic changes to better understand the potential implications in terms of transmission, clinical presentation and vaccine and therapeutics development.

Monitoring genetic variations combined with interprovincial and international spread of the virus will become increasingly important as public health measures are gradually lifted and cross-border travel resumes. Variants of COVID-19 are important to monitor for patterns of transmission (for example, in different age groups), if more severe outcomes are observed, if diagnostic tests can detect the variants, and whether vaccines and therapeutics will continue to be effective.

A detailed characterization of genetic variations can also help researchers to:
• understand the viral and host mechanisms leading to disease and recovery;
• understand how it spreads through populations and other potential hosts; and
• help identify suitable drug and vaccine targets.

To date, we are aware of several COVID-19 variants circulating internationally including variants of concern Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), and Delta (B.1.617.2). As of June 8, 2021, the B.1.1.7 variant has been reported in 144 countries, the B.1.351 variant has been confirmed in 108 countries, the P.1 variant has been identified in 59 countries, and the B.1.617.2 variant has been identified in 69 countries.

In Canada, as of June 8, 2021, the B.1.1.7 variant has been identified in all Canadian provinces and territories; the B.1.351 variant has been identified in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia; and the P.1 variant has been identified in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Increased numbers of cases of VOC in Canada are primarily driven by the B.1.1.7 and P.1 variants. Identification and reporting of cases of the B.1.617.2 variant is increasing across Canada following designation of this variant as a VOC in Canada on May 12, 2021.

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