CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Well being authorities Monday confirmed that the island had recorded its first case of the coronavirus (COVID-1) Omicron variant HV.1 as they reported a rise within the variety of individuals presenting with flu-like sicknesses over the past two months
The Ministry of Well being, Wellness and Aged Affairs, in a press release, mentioned that the rise is noticed each in visits to the emergency departments and Wellness Facilities, including, “That is notably the case for youngsters lower than 5 years of age.”
The assertion mentioned that earlier this month, the World Well being Group (WHO) indicated that in December 2023, there was a 42 % improve in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a 62 % improve in ICU admissions in comparison with the earlier month.
The ministry mentioned that along with COVID-19, it had recorded a rise in confirmed instances of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza from October 08 to December 2023.
Related developments have been detected globally, primarily in elements of Europe, Central Asia, and North America, as a result of adjustments within the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
In line with the ministry, on January 17, it acquired laboratory outcomes from the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) confirming the presence of Omicron variant HV.1 in samples submitted by the nationwide reference Ezra Lengthy Laboratory.
“The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) revealed that HV.1 has grow to be probably the most dominant variant in america, with signs intently resembling a chilly or the flu. These signs embody fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, runny nostril, sore throat, and congestion.”
The ministry mentioned although HV. One appears extremely transmissible, “consultants agree that the brand new subvariant will not be recognized to trigger extreme illness.
“That is the doubtless trigger for the elevated respiratory sickness famous within the nation,” it mentioned, encouraging members of the general public to scale back the unfold of respiratory sicknesses by adopting a number of measures, together with correct hand hygiene with common hand washing, masking the nostril, nostril, and mouth when coughing or sneezing and sporting a face masks the place attainable in crowded locations and when presenting flu-like signs.
The ministry mentioned it needed to remind most of the people that St. Lucia is presently within the flu season, which runs from October to March “and, as such, want to encourage the usage of the flu vaccine, which is out there freed from cost on the varied wellness facilities.
“The COVID-19 Janssen vaccine can also be out there and could be taken as a booster, particularly for individuals with threat components or persistent sickness. COVID-19 testing can also be out there freed from cost on the Wellness Facilities,” it added.
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