Jamaica’s Ministry of Health will soon be rolling out training in the use of a genome sequencing machine to test for COVID-19 variants.
At a recent press conference, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie said the training was expected to begin on January 10th but has been pushed back.
She said it is hoped the delay will not be more than a week.
Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie revealed the training process will involve the testing of samples.
She said that while the results of some samples Jamaica had sent overseas for testing remain outstanding, Omicron has not been confirmed from the results of tests received to date.
The CMO admitted however that they were alerted by the United Kingdom of individuals who travelled to Jamaica, and on testing on return to the UK were found to be positive with Omicron.
Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie noted further, that based on the pattern of spread and a marked rise in cases Omicron is more than likely in-country and representing a ‘good portion’ of cases.
She has reminded all Jamaicans of the importance of getting vaccinated.
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