BROOKLYN, NY– Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant here, following the return of positive COVID-19 samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic sequencing.
He disclosed the daily COVID-19 Update on Wednesday, saying that all but one of the samples recently sent to the regional public health agency had been confirmed as the Omicron variant.
“Of the 20 samples that we have sent, 19 came back positive for Omicron. One was indeterminate because … apparently they did not have enough genetic material in the sample to be able to sequence it,” Dr. Anthony disclosed.
The sub-type BA.2 of the Omicron variant has been detected in 74 countries and seems to be overtaking the BA.1 sub-type, which is the dominant subtype.
The difference between the two sub-types is the SG target failure, which can be detected in the BA.1 using the standard PCR; however, the BA.2 does not have this target failure and therefore cannot be seen by a standard PCR test and requires genetic sequencing.
Dr. Anthony noted that scientists have been trying to observe whether this would lead to any clinical difference. However, it remains similar in terms of hospitalization and clinical presentation so far.
“However, what they have found is that it [BA.2] has a shorter duration for incubation – about half-day less than the Omicron BA.1, but it’s not significant,” he said. “I guess the scientists would continue to observe and make deductions on what is happening with the BA.2.”
The BA.1 sub-variant has been the dominant variant since Omicron first surfaced last November.
Meantime, the Health Minister noted the general decline in COVID-19 cases countrywide, after peaking at more than 13,000.
Current active cases stand at 494, with patients in Region Four dropping to 144 after several months.
Hospitalization numbers also continue to decrease, with mostly older persons hospitalized with underlying conditions.
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