First COVID-19 variant case found in Northern Health SHARE ON: B.C. Health Officials have reported the first case of a COVID-19 variant of concern in Northern Health. Northern Health says it is the B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the UK. The case, linked to international travel, has no close contacts in the region as they tested positive and isolated in another health authority. The new case is one of 163 new VoC cases found in the province this weekend. There are 880 total cases, and 195 are considered active. This comes as Northern Health reported 129 new cases over the weekend, for 344 active infections.