The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment was informed today, August 6 by CARPHA of the COVID-19 sequencing results of samples received at CARPHA on July 27th, 2021. One  sample detected a variant of concern (VOC) – B.1.617.2 – Delta variant, a release from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) said.

“This sample was collected during entry screening at the AIA from a fully vaccinated traveler  who arrived from England with a negative PCR result on July 21, 2021. The Molecular Lab Unit  (MLU) of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment reported on July 22, 2021 that  the traveler had tested positive. The adult then transitioned from 48 hours hotel quarantine to  approved isolation accommodation, and has since tested negative for COVID-19. 

“The adult remained asymptomatic throughout this period of isolation and never required  admission for care,” the release said.

Routine contact tracing detected two other COVID-19 positive cases associated with this  traveler. These positive cases are unvaccinated travelers to SVG and displayed symptoms of  COVID-19. One of these two persons has since tested negative for COVID-19. They all remain  in strict isolation. 

The Delta variant is described by the CDC as  

∙ WHO Label: Delta 

∙ First Identified: India 

∙ Attributes: 

∙ Increased transmissibility  

∙ Reduction in neutralization by post-vaccination sera (reduced effectiveness of  vaccines). 

The delta variant currently accounts for 93 per cent of new COVID-19 cases in the USA and the  associated illness and deaths.  

In view of the detection of this highly contagious variant of the COVID-19 causing virus in St.  Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment asks the  public to increase their compliance with the basic public health measures of correct mask use,  physical distancing and hand sanitizing. The Ministry once again urges all eligible members of  the Vincentian public to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus now.