DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19 IDENTIFIED IN ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Health Ministry has confirmed that a visitor from the United Kingdom tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19 on July 22. The confirmation was provided by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, following sequencing results of samples received on July 27. The fully-vaccinated individual had landed at Argyle International Airport with a negative PCR test result, but was tested during entry screening. The passenger was moved from 48-hour hotel quarantine to isolation following the positive result, but has since tested negative for COVID-19. Health officials said the individual remained asymptomatic during isolation and did not require admission for care.

Meanwhile, contact-tracing revealed two unvaccinated individuals associated with this individual have tested positive and have displayed COVID-19 symptoms. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has again urged eligible members of the Vincentian public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.