More samples of the Mu and Delta variants of the COVID-19 virus continue to be recorded in the territory with 6 recent samples testing positive for the Mu variant and 7 for the Delta strain.
This is according to a media release from the Ministry of Health on Friday October 8, which confirmed that the positive detection of the two variants of concern were among samples recently sent to Trinidad for analysis.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges said that genetic typing on samples collected between September 1 and 27 which met the criteria for sequencing by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) identified 6 samples positive for B.1.621.1 also known as the Mu variant and classified by World Health Organisation (WHO) as a Variant of Interest, and 7 cases of the Delta variant (Ay.4, Ay.34, and B.1.617.2) classified by WHO as a Variant of Concern.
According to Dr. Georges, the Mu and Delta variants continue to be identified among samples and therefore should be considered to be the current COVID variants circulating in the territory.
“There is no end in sight to this pandemic right now…Therefore, as a community we have to remain vigilant and use the entire COVID-19 arsenal which includes cleaning and disinfecting frequently used areas, sanitising and washing hands frequently, wearing masks, social distancing, adhering to quarantine orders and getting vaccinated. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that this threat is over, because it is not,” Dr. Georges stated.
The ministry is therefore urging residents of the Virgin Islands to remain vigilant and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols following the discovery both the Mu and Delta variant continue to be present in territory.