Grenada records cases of COVID-19 variants

CMC – Grenada has become the latest Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to register cases of several variants of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) said that the island had recorded cases of the JN.1, JN.5 and JG.3 COVID-19 variants.

The Epidemiology Surveillance report, noted that there are 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the period January 21-27.

“This is the first time that these have been identified by CMML (CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory) for Grenada,” said the report which is prepared by the Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these variants are subvariant of the Omicron COVID variant and change their genetic code specifically in the spike protein region.

Besides COVID-19, the other outbreaks in Grenada are Dengue Fever and Acute Respiratory Infection. The report shows that there are three reported cases of dengue which is a drop from the 14 cases in week number three. One of the dengue cases is classified as severe.

“Influenza A (H3N2), Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza 3, & Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are the respiratory pathogens identified. Respiratory hygiene measures continue to be recommended to manage the current situation,” said the report .

Another illness of concern is Coxsackievirus, which according to the report shows a total of 29 cases.

Coxsackieviruses are often referred to as Hand, Foot and Mouth disease and it is very contagious. They can pass from person to person on unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces. They also can spread through droplets of fluid sprayed into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

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