Omicron variant confirmed in community, one more COVID19 death

NEW COVID19 CASES

Ninety-one (91) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from 377 samples collected on Thursday January 6th, 2022, resulting in a positivity of 24.1%.  Eighty-four (84) new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on January 6th,  2022. 

Sixty-one (61) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from 344 samples collected on Friday January 7th, 2022, resulting in a positivity of 17.7%. Eighty Eight (88) new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on January 7th, 2022. 

Forty-eight (48) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from 245 samples collected on Saturday 8th, 2022, resulting in a positivity of 19.6%. Thirty-nine (39)  new rapid antigen positive results were reported from the flu clinics on January 8th, 2022. 

No new COVID-19 cases were reported from nine (9) samples collected Sunday January 9th, 2022.  Twenty-two (22) new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on January 9th,  2022. 

Fifteen (15) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from forty-seven (47) samples collected  on Monday January 10th, 2022, resulting in a positivity of 31.9%. One hundred and eleven (111)  new rapid antigen positive results were reported from the flu clinics on January 10th, 2022.  

OMICRON CASES 

Sequencing results received from CARPHA on January 10, 2022 and January 11, 2022, confirmed  the presence of the Omicron variant of concern in two (2) samples taken on December 27, 2021  and one (1) sample taken on December 28, 2021 from persons with no travel history.

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS 

There are currently no patients admitted for COVID-19 at the Argyle Isolation Facility. Seventeen (17) patients are admitted to the COVID-19 ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, six (6) of  whom are vaccinated, eleven (11) patients are unvaccinated. 

COVID-19 DEATHS 

One (1) new death was recorded over the reporting period. A 68-year-old female, with pre-existing  conditions, died at home on January 10th, 2022 after a respiratory illness with features typical of  COVID-19. A postmortem test for COVID-19 was positive confirming that the cause of death was  a COVID-19 pneumonia. She was fully vaccinated. Her death brings the death toll from COVID 19 to eighty-five (85). 

COVID-19 SUMMARY 

Thirty-six (36) recoveries were noted over the reporting period. Nine hundred and fourteen (914)  cases are currently active and eighty-five (85) persons with COVID-19 have died. Six thousand  five hundred and sixty-two (6562) cases of COVID-19 and five thousand and five hundred and  sixty-three (5563) recoveries have been recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since March  2020.  

In view of the confirmed presence of the Delta, Mu, Gamma, and Omicron variants in the  community and the significant increase in the number of new infections, transmission, severe  COVID-19 disease and deaths, strict enforcement and compliance with all protocols and  recommendations by everyone is strongly recommended. The public is reminded to always wear  a properly fitting mask, get vaccinated and boosted and seek care early.