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A fully vaccinated traveller to St. Vincent and the Grenadines has tested positive for the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, iWitness News has been reliably informed.

Sources in the know told iWitness News that the case was confirmed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency on July 27.

The fully vaccinated traveller arrived in St. Vincent from the United Kingdom via the Argyle International Airport on July 21, with a negative PCR test

The molecular laboratory at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital confirmed on July 22 that the traveller was indeed COVID-19 positive.  

A sample from the traveller was among those sent to CARPHA, which is based in Trinidad for sequencing.

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The sample was confirmed to be B16172, the delta variant of the virus, sources have told iWitness News.

Update:

Following is a statement from the Ministry of Health formally announcing the presence of the Delta variant in SVG

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment was informed this morning 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.

This sample was collected during entry screening at the AIA from a fully vaccinated traveller 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.

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 neutralisation by post-vaccination sera (reduced effectiveness of vaccines).

The delta variant currently accounts for 93% 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.

3 replies on “Fully vaccinated traveller tests positive for delta variant in St. Vincent”

  1. Nathan 'Jolly' Green says:

    They are dropping like flies with this Delta variant all over the world. The vaccinated are hardly affected but those who are not are becoming very ill indeed. The little 18,000 person town I am currently in Venezuela had 480 cases of the variant last week alone.

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