B.C. has 18 cases of U.K., South African COVID-19 variants; 1,158 cases and 21 deaths reported

BC is reporting 1,158 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days as well as 21 additional deaths.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 18 cases of new COVID-19 variants have now been confirmed in the province, four of the South Africa variant and 14 of the fast-spreading virus first found in the UK.

Dr. Henry says the province has stepped up testing for the new variants in outbreaks and among international travellers.

She says cases of the new variants show why it's important to avoid social gatherings and she's urging people not to hold Super Bowl parties next weekend.

British Columbia has 18 cases of U.K., South African COVID-19 variants

British Columbia has 18 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variants that originated in South Africa and the United Kingdom, with seven of those emerging over the weekend.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all 14 cases of the U.K. strain are connected to travel, but the four cases of the South African variant have no link to international trips.

She says officials are working to determine how the individuals contracted the South African strain and the variants continue to be "concerning" because they may spread more easily.