Omicron wave in Trinidad & Tobago: 2 new cases reported, 17 active

Port of Spain: Another two cases of the recently discovered Omicron variant has been reported in Trinidad and Tobago. Both of the cases were reported on January 6, 2022, the Ministry of Health noted. With this, the total toll of active Omicron cases rises to 17.

In the first case, the patient has a travel history, who travelled back to Trinidad from New York City. Although the other Omicron positive individual does not have any recent travel history and at present is under epidemiological investigation.

Both of the patients are in isolation facilities and are being examined by the Doctors. The cases were confirmed by the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of West Indies via gene sequencing.

The health ministry asserted, “The patients will remain in the isolation unit until they meet the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with the COVID-19 variants of concern. Additionally, contacts of the positive Omicorn COVID-19 cases have also been quarantined”.

Underscoring the significance of being vaccinated against the deadliest virus, the health ministry urged the citizens to strictly abide by COVID-19 health protocols & guidelines established by the government. The ministry has further advised sick individuals to remain at their places.

Another new variant, ‘IHU’ of the coronavirus, has been discovered by medical researchers in France, which is likely to have more than 47 mutations. The transmissibility of the new variant has yet not been revealed, as numerous studies are going on yet.

Meanwhile, as per the data revealed by the World Health Organisation, around 108 countries currently are reporting cases of Omicron. The research suggests that this variant is more easily spread from person to person as compared to the previous variants of the COVID-19, but further information is yet required on its impact on the individuals who contract Omicron.