3 days ago
New COVID strain found in Montreal wastewater: health ministry
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 has mutated into two new variants that are circulating across Asia, Europe and North America, and Quebec's public health authority warns one of the strains was detected in Montreal wastewater data.
The variant found in Quebec, XFG, has also been detected in wastewater in other parts of Canada, the United States, and Europe. Another new strain, NB.1.8.1, is associated with a rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations in China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, according to Marie-Pierre Blier, a spokesperson from the health ministry.
Although XFG has made its way to Quebec, public health authorities assure there is no need to panic. Blier wrote in an email that it hasn't markedly impacted public health, adding that the ministry continues to monitor the situation closely.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels through public wastewater data, saying infection levels were not rising in North America and Europe as of May 11, 2025. It rates the overall public health risk of COVID-19 as low.
Despite the increase in cases and hospitalizations in Asia, Blier suggested there is no evidence that the new strains are more serious or have caused more deaths than other circulating variants.
She added that the current COVID-19 vaccines seem to be effective in protecting against severe forms of the disease.
Blier wrote the current situation is very similar to the same time last year, when the new variant KP.2 was circulating.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the health ministry recommends staying home if you have a fever, wearing a mask if you have a cough or sore throat, and avoiding contact with immunocompromised or elderly people until symptoms disappear.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM.
