CARPHA samples show 13 persons with Mu and Delta variants in BVI
Samples sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have shown that there were at least 13 persons with the Mu and Delta variants of the coronavirus in the BVI.
Mu is considered a ‘variant of interest’ while the deadly Delta variant has been tagged as ‘a variant of concern’.
Appearing on the Honestly Speaking radio programme on Thursday, Health Minister Carvin Malone said seven persons tested positive for the Delta variant and another six persons had the Mu variant of COVID-19. Their samples had been collected between September 1 and 29.
“It is critical for us because we want to make sure that folks know that these Deltas and these Mu’s are closing down populations,” the Health Minister said.
Malone cautioned that the BVI did not want to return to a state of having more than 1,600 positive cases of the virus, as was the case a few months ago.
“We want to make sure that we keep our hospitalisation [rate] down. We want to make sure that we keep our mortality rate down,” the Health Minister stated.
The current positivity rate of the virus in the BVI stands at 3.3 percent, Malone said.
More AstraZeneca vaccines arrive from the UK
The Health Minister also noted that the BVI’s current vaccine penetration rate stands at 52 percent with another 2,139 persons yet to receive their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccines.
Malone said once these persons take their second dose of the vaccine the BVI will then have 59% of its population fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the minister announced that another 2,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have arrived in the territory from the UK. He said this latest batch will expire in January 2022.
He also noted that calls have been put out for persons who have taken doses of the vaccine overseas to report this to local health authorities to provide a better picture of the vaccination rate.
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Are these people testing positive on arrival or people in the community testing positive? Makes a difference to know all the info.
Its very hard to tell when these people are telling the truth
Any news of booster?
I am willing to bet that these are vaccinated samples
Information is insufficient.
Are these cases local/resident or with respect to travelers – tourists? Vaccinated v. unvaccinated. Tola, VG, JVD or Anegada. Male v Female and by age. Any children. Updates since last testing – of the 13, how many recovered or, update samples not sent to CARPHA for tests?
Can we get a better analysis of the information?
Why do the samples have to be sent all the way to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)? If we ca’t do the testing ourselves, can we not find another closer location? Or is it because a particular health official has Trinidadian roots and connections? What is that called?
CARPHA is the regional CARICOM agency that provide these services free of cost to members. Do you even think before you type?
These are highly specialized equipment and highly trained personnel to carry out genetic testing on the samples. This Lab in TT was specifically set up through PAHO and WHO to serve the Caribbean region including Jamaica.
Caribbean Public Health Agency is the regional CARICOM agency charged with this task..you answered your own question in your comment while trying to smear somebody. Why the news sites allow borderline defamatory comments like this courting lawsuits is a mystery.
I was skeptical in believing people when they say that once the vaccines reach Malone will come with a story to fear monger the people. And so the script played out. Just wow. Dude ain’t no one hospitalized Covid is on its way out. Get ready to be starved and the banks running out of money. It’s a reason Bill Gates bought all the farm land in America. He’s one greedy SOB that will keep doing anything to be the worlds richest man. He’s depressed that Elon Musk and Mr Amazon passed him. So he’s doing anything he can with his vaccines investments now farm land. Foods are hard to get someplaces. I know you guys want to say conspiracy theory so I’ll stop. Go get you all booster shot and get ready to starve. Ask Carvin to feed alyuh.
You sick.
The Delta variant is not deadly as described, anymore than any other existing variant. We have it in the UK and death/hospitalisation rates are falling, without any restrictions. It is slightly more contagious, but if you vaccinate then that is irrelevant.
@Peter Gentry… They need to stop the scare tatics to make money. This has gotten ot of hand more so than the virus itself. Shame.