No evidence of new COVID-19 variants in Jamaica

Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr Marcia Graham, says there is no evidence of new COVID-19 variants on the island.

"We do not have any evidence of those new strains in Jamaica, but it is something that we are monitoring because we are a global village and most diseases are only a plane flight away," she said. "These variants have been identified in some of our northern countries where they are now having winter weather, and so the ministry is alert when it comes to any new variants to see how they behave and if we need to change our strategy."

Graham was addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation held in Savanna-la-Mar last week. She informed that there are 11 active cases of COVID-19 on the island and no positive cases in Westmoreland. Graham reported that for the week of December 26, 2023 to January 1, 2024, the COVID-19 positivity rate was at 2.7 per cent.

Graham said that vaccination remains effective in protecting persons from becoming seriously ill if they contract the virus.

"COVID-19 is endemic in Jamaica, meaning that it is something that we are learning to live with, and the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, but what we have found is that once persons are vaccinated, it still prevents you from getting severely ill," she said. Graham informed that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now available at public health centres for first-time vaccination as well as a booster.