CARPHA confirms presence of Omicron variant in Guyana

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant here, following the return of positive samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genetic sequencing.
During the daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Minister Anthony said the samples were recently sent to the regional public health agency.
In January, the country saw a drastic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, and as such, 20 samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago for testing, to determine whether the presence of the Omicron variant was in Guyana.

“Of the 20 samples that we have sent, 19 came back positive for Omicron. One was indeterminate because, in the sample itself, apparently they did not have enough genetic material in the sample to be able to sequence it,” Dr. Anthony disclosed.
Minister Anthony noted there has been a general decline in cases countrywide, after the pandemic had peaked at more than 13,000. Current active cases stand at 494, with active cases in Region Four dropping to 144 after several months.
Meanwhile, the sub-type BA.2 of the Omicron variant has been detected in 74 countries, and seems to be overtaking the BA.1 sub-type, which is the dominant subtype. The difference between the two sub-types is the presence of the SG target failure, which can be detected in the BA.1 using the normal PCR; however, the BA .2 does not have this target failure, and therefore cannot be detected by a normal PCR test, and requires genetic sequencing.
Dr Anthony noted that scientists have been trying to observe whether this would lead to any clinical difference. However, so far, in terms of hospitalisation and clinical presentation, it remains similar.
“What, however, they have found is that it has a shorter duration for incubation, about half-day less than the Omicron BA.1, but it’s not really significant,” Dr Anthony said.
He noted that the variants are similar, as there were no major changes detected in the clinical manifestation. “I guess the scientists would continue to observe and make deductions on what is happening with the BA.2,” he noted.
The BA.1 sub-variant has been the dominant variant since Omicron first manifested last November. Dr. Anthony suspects that the BA.2 may become the more dominant sub-variant; however, for now, scientists continue to monitor the findings.
In addition, hospitalisation numbers continue to decrease, with mostly older persons with underlying conditions being hospitalised.
Over the past months, the Minister had underscored the need for persons who have yet to take their vaccines to do so as soon as possible. Dr Anthony also stressed the importance of persons who are fully vaccinated taking their booster shots, as it would prove effective if they are to be infected by the Omicron variant.
In fact, the Health Minister has already met with the management of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to discuss additional measures to be taken to protect both patients and staff from the Omicron variant.