By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – In addition to the ministry of health, wellness and elderly affairs’ confirmation of the new gene sequencing results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA, per press release April 19, indicated the presence of both the Omicron BA1 and BA2 lineages: meanwhile, the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) said it: “regrets to inform the public of a suspension of outpatient pharmacy services at Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital.
This suspension takes effect from Thursday, April 21, 2022, for an indefinite period.
Death confusion?
The ministry of health, Thursday, April 21, 2022, said: “The total number of COVID-19 deaths in-country is 274 and the total number of COVID-19 related deaths is 94.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022, the ministry of health, said: “We have noted a total of 367 COVID19 deaths.”
In the April 19 press release, the ministry of health advised that: “The Omicron variant BA1 which has been circulating since February 2022 was confirmed in 11 of the samples sequenced,” added: “The Omicron BA2 variant is responsible for the new waves noted in Barbados, Martinique and the developed countries. The Omicron variant remains the dominant variant circulating globally and has replaced all other circulating variants in most countries. Although there is reduced SARS-CoV-2 testing globally from the beginning of 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic continues with intense transmission and death, particularly in high-risk populations and the unvaccinated.”
The ministry of health also reported Thursday, April 21, 2022, “a total of 53, 441 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 5, 351 are partially vaccinated and 7, 211 have received their booster shot.”
