99 additional people in Simcoe Muskoka likely have COVID-19 U.K. variant by News Staff and the Canadian Press Posted Jan 26, 2021 4:27 pm EDT Last Updated Jan 26, 2021 at 5:02 pm EDT Public health officials say 99 more people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Simcoe-Muskoka region likely have the U.K. variant of the virus — which is more contagious and transmissible. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) says most of the cases are linked to a deadly outbreak at Roberta Place Long-Term Care home in Barrie, that has killed 46 people and infected more than 200. The U.K. variant has already been identified in some of those infected in that outbreak.