CARPHA warning: be on the lookout for new COVID-19 variants

Local health officials have been warned to be on the lookout for new, fast spreading variants of COVID-19.

New Omicron subvariants, including BA.5, have emerged in the United States and the United Kingdom, Barbados’ main tourism markets.

CARPHA, the Caribbean Public Health Agency has detected at least one of the new variants the region and sees the development as yet another health threat.

Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John tells CBC News relaxation of COVID-19 travel protocols and more people travelling for the summer and Crop Over, means these new variants cannot be stopped.