All four COVID-19 variants of concern have now been identified in Antigua and Barbuda

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The World Health Organization has so far confirmed four variants of concern circulating globally – Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma.

 

The Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment recently received confirmation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) of the Gamma variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 in Antigua and Barbuda.

This establishes that all four (4) variants of concern have now been identified in the twin island state.

 

The Gamma variant of concern, first identified in Brazil in November 2020, was found in three (3) of a group of eight (8) samples taken in Antigua and Barbuda between 18 and 22 July 2021 which were sent to CARPHA for genomic sequencing. The Delta variant was identified in the other five (5) samples.

 

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment first became aware of the presence of the Delta variant in Antigua and Barbuda after it was found in one (1) of seven (7) samples taken between May 5 and July 2, 2021 which were sent to CARPHA for genomic sequencing.

 

The Gamma variant, like the Delta variant is deemed to be more transmissible causing more severe disease which results in increased hospitalization and death.

 

This development clearly speaks to the importance of being vaccinated and adhering to the public health measures that have been established.  Vaccination, physical distancing, social distancing, wearing of the masks correctly and proper hygiene and cough etiquette continue to be the most effective measures in the prevention and control of Covid-19.

 

We therefore encourage all unvaccinated residents in Antigua and Barbuda to avail themselves of the Covid-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Sinopharm) that are now being distributed and are readily available at our vaccination sites. The two sites currently in operation are the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre and the Villa Polyclinic which are open Mondays through to Fridays from 9am to 3pm.

 

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment continues to invite the general public to collaborate and participate in the fight against COVID-19.

 

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15 COMMENTS

    • How is the vaccine in anyway going to prevent death? This is just another made up concoction of medical and scientific non sense. What laboratory testing equipment are they really using to determine these variants? What standards are they been held accountable? Should we just take it for granted that these test are all done correctly without fault no error what so ever? In a time when errors are still at a high rate especially with human interaction? Don’t get me wrong, I’m pro vaccine but please this is a fight that clearly needs more through in depth research and deployment. If you have by now still reading my comment and so far your still reading . I am a technical analysis who like to expose faults, errors and rate of these error occurring. Are there documented testing where these errors occur? Or is it that your tell me these test are 99.9% accurate without flaws? I totally disbelieve. No man or equipment is perfect no matter how much we would like to believe. And to combat this virus will take alot more strategic planning and isolation? Boarder protection and systematic isolation where the population is concerned. If we are going to combat this, we need to have a rigorous and enforceable plan to protect our great nation, environmentally and economically.

      • “Medical and scientific nonsense”? Please stick to your technical analyzing and let the doctors and scientists do their job.

  1. @Wadadli Rebelz…too late, the fuse has being lit, the horse already bolted from the barn, yesterday will never be tomorrow, wah dun garne bad a marning, cyant cum good a night

    Nuff said, gird your loins!

  2. where does these surge of mutated variants came from that’s the question. Did the covid take more than a year year to mutate amongst the local population? Or was it the sudden in flow of vaccinated people was the cause ? Or maybe it’s the vaccinated spreading these variants? how did the variants reach here ? do the vaccinated get tested after 4- 6 months for covid : or once one get their jab and have their card they instaneously no longer to get tested or quarantined. to think about it that’s exactly what it is once one is vaccinated fully. not no medical doctor but find it strange that all these variants are named after brain and nervous system waves….guess the 5 variant might be named omega where it deals with heart and brain rhythms and oscillation .. out the box thinker

  3. for vaccines yes. but that quick manipulated vaccine one have the right to question .. how does a 6 month trial provide enough information for 5 – 10 years Span. how does a human trial in months provide information for what’s down the line

  4. Who can we trust in this cold world everybody is reading from the same manual , trust the experts that keep going back and forth? I rather use my God given common sense right now that putting my trust in man

  5. All these variants and the vaccine remains the same wow how effective?
    If there is a new variant in Antigua unannounced by WHO how will Antigua know?

    Everything that is said in Antigua is from outside of Antigua including Sars. We are scavengers we consume every and anything.

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