The latest:
Health officials in Quebec have confirmed a first case of B1617, the coronavirus variant first detected in India.
The variant was detected in a patient in the Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec region, between Montreal and Quebec City, according to public health.
B1617 is known for transmitting easily and causing more severe symptoms.
Quebec on Wednesday reported 1,217 new cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths. Hospitalizations stood at 716, with 178 people in ICU.
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