Delta, Gamma and Alpha variants present in Barbados

Nine of 18 COVID-19 samples recently tested by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), revealed that the Delta, Gamma and Alpha variants remain present in Barbados, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said.

At a press conference Sunday outlining Government’s response to the discovery of 40 positive coronavirus cases, he disclosed the results of the testing received two days ago from the Trinidad-based agency.

Dr George told journalists: “18 samples were tested, nine of those were the Alpha Variant, B.117; three of the samples were the Delta variant and three of the samples were the Gamma variant.

“What I would hasten to say is that based on the information that we have; those cases of Delta were imported cases. So, there is good reason to believe that the original first mutation that caused significant public health concern across the globe, which is B.1.1.7 [Alpha], that B. 1.1.7 is here In Barbados and that persons need to know that that variant is in our country.”

George further disclosed that three vaccinated travellers have tested positive for COVID-19.

He said: “So there have been three persons who have arrived in Barbados who have been previously vaccinated and have come to Barbados, and as part of protocols they have turned positive tests … and we are monitoring that situation.”

The Chief Medical Officer however made clear that vaccines offer much protection for those who contract the coronavirus and he urged Barbadians to get vaccinated.

“With respect to persons becoming sick who are vaccinated, that is extremely uncommon worldwide and that is the experience of Barbados today and that is why we encourage you in the ministry of health please those who are not vaccinated this is one of your best chances of making sure that you don’t get very ill and you transmit disease less.”

Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic told journalists it was too early to attribute the new 40 cases to the variants.

He however raised concern that too many people, even those with symptoms, were not coming forward for treatment.

“Based on what we saw back in January, February I cannot say that we are seeing that at this point in time. Yes there has been an increase in cases and this one today of 40 is a fair amount I would admit, but we have to see exactly where this is going to go before we can make those determinations and we have to stress the fact that we have had cases bothering us not because of any variant but because  of persons who have presented very, very late [for treatment], including symptomatic persons in businessplaces who were going to work and that is why we are actively pursuing those contacts,” he said.

George stressed that even with variants, prevention and control measures including mask wearing, physical distancing, hand sanitising and vaccination remain the best protection against the virus. (SD)