BARRIE -- The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has identified 99 more cases of what it believes to be the highly contagious U.K. COVID-19 B.1.1.7. variant in the region. It had previously reported seven cases of the variant. Health officials say most of the new cases are linked to the Roberta Place Long Term Care home outbreak in Barrie, Ont; however, two cases aren't connected. As of Monday afternoon, more than 200 people have contracted the virus, while 44 residents and one essential caregiver have died at the long-term care home. "Our investigation into these preliminary results is early, but it appears that two persons have no known link to those individuals we recently identified as positive for the United Kingdom (U.K.) variant," Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit said in a release.