With the Omicron COVID-19 variant at Barbados’ doorstep, with an imported case detected this week in the neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, the country is being told not to jump to conclusions about the latest highly transmissible mutation of the virus.
This word of caution came from Pan American Health Organisation’s representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr Yitades Gebre, who also noted that while scientists continue to research the Omicron variant, attention must still be focused on the dominant Delta variant.
Gebre was speaking during a brief ceremony at PAHO headquarters yesterday, during which two new vehicles and several pieces of equipment for self-monitoring non-communicable diseases, were donated to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“The message to all Barbadians must be clear, which is to get vaccinated, as it is the most effective tool against the Delta variant, which is still the most dominant variant of concern. Studies are ongoing to determine if Omicron has an impact on vaccine efficacy and it is important that we remain patient. In two to three weeks, we should have more information about the effectiveness of the vaccine against the variant,” said Gebre. (CLM)
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