'BA.2 & BA.4 Omicron variants' present in VI- Dr Ronald E. Georges - Acting Chief Medical Officer reminds public to remain vigilant as new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges is reminding the public to remain vigilant as new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge.

He also noted that at least two Omicron variants are present in the territory.

“As of July 8, there are 24 reported active cases of COVID-19 in the Territory, Dr Georges said. He added, “After genetic testing, BA.2 and BA.4 Omicron variants have been found to be circulating within the Virgin Islands community while the BA 2.75 variant identified in India has not been identified in the Virgin Islands.”

Dr Georges, in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release on July 13, 2022, explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern while BA.4, BA.5, and various sub-lineages of BA.2 remain under monitoring by the World Health Organisation at this time.

He said BA.4 and BA.5 are expected to replace existing variants in Europe and North America in the coming weeks to months.