COVID-19: UK and other variants detected in several Caribbean countries

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Thursday said the UK variant and other variants of the coronavirus has been detected in several Caribbean countries; the agency did not name the countries.

“To date CARPHA has detected cases of the UK variant in several Member States.

“While no cases of the Brazil or South Africa variant have been detected in the Region, U.S. variants of concern and a variant similar to the Brazil variant have been detected,” CARPHA stated.

Since December 2020, CARPHA said it had been working with the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine on genome sequencing for Caribbean states.

Countries were asked to send ten samples per month as this meets the requirements for sequencing.

CARPHA is urging Member States to remain vigilant and continue to enhance their surveillance capacity to screen, identify, test, quarantine, isolate and trace contacts of new cases supported by public health prevention and control measures.

During this critical phase of the pandemic and beyond, CARPHA said it will provide technical support, advice and the highest quality service to help inform decision makers in its Member States.