COVID-19 variant found in more Toronto homeless shelters and an encampment

Variants of COVID-19 have now been found in five Toronto shelters and one homeless encampment in the city.

Toronto Public Health says nine people at four shelters, and four people from an encampment have screened positive for a COVID-19 variant.

Earlier this month, the health unit said a variant had been found at the Maxwell Meighen Centre for the homeless, where 29 people have tested positive for COVID-19.

The city says those who have tested positive have been moved to an isolation centre.

Meanwhile, the city and the Unity Health hospital network have resumed a vaccination pilot program at several homeless shelters in Toronto.

But they say they're seeking clarity from the province on where homeless people fall on the government's priority list for Ontario's wider vaccine rollout.