Local NewsNews Newest COVID-19 strain detected in Barbados by Barbados Today 27/01/2024 written by Barbados Today Updated by Barbados Today Traffic 27/01/2024 1 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 937 The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed that the new and fast-spreading variant of COVID-19, the JN1 (a sub-variant of Omicron), has been detected here. It said in a statement issued through the Government Information Service, that the discovery was made as a result of the local variant testing which was done following an increase in the incidence of respiratory illness, including Influenza A and B and COVID-19. The ministry reminded that although COVID-19 is no longer a disease of international public health concern, transmission of the virus has not stopped and it therefore continues to test and monitor for COVID-19 strains. Chief Medical Officer Dr the Most Honourable Kenneth George stressed that the mask mandate has not been reintroduced, but urged the usual precautionary measures for preventing the spread of respiratory illness, particularly by vulnerable persons such as the elderly, pregnant women and persons living with chronic non-communicable diseases. (BT) Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Boat captain jailed for possession, trafficking of $1.5M in cannabis 19/02/2025 CARICOM urged to address ‘education crisis’ amid World Bank report 19/02/2025 Electoral commission to take over birth, death registrations – AG 19/02/2025