Covid sub-variant XBB.1.5 not new to Caribbean

The COVID-19 sub-variant XBB.1.5, which is affecting people in the United States is not new to the Caribbean region.

Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Dr. Joy St. John told CBC News her agency tested for and isolated that variant since last year.

She added that the viruses which are of concern now are other respiratory illnesses and not COVID-19.

The public health specialist also pointed out that CARPHA has not been seeing as many requests for testing from member states in recent times compared to the height of the pandemic.