Abdool-Richards: Ministry awaiting confirmation on covid19 mutations

The Ministry of Health is liaising with regional and international health organisations after reports that covid19 has mutated into a different strain in the United Kingdom, according to principal medical officer in charge of health institutions Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards.

On Tuesday the BBC reported that a new variant of the virus had been detected in southeast England, and had been found in places where the rate of infections were higher.

The report said while there was no evidence to suggest this mutated virus was more infectious, experts were monitoring its epidemiology.

Responding to Newsday's questions during the Ministry of Health virtual covid19 update on Wednesday, Abdool-Richards said while it was a common phenomenon for viruses to mutate over time, the ministry was awaiting word from the Caribbean Public Health Authority (CARPHA) on whether a mutation did in fact occur.

"At present CARPHA is the recognised agency in the Caribbean and for Caricom countries that would provide definitive evidence on the mutation of the covid19 virus. As such the Ministry of Health will await confirmation from the authority, which relates to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding confirmation of a mutated virus into a different strain."

She also said while no vaccines have been ordered by the government as yet, the Ministry of Health was in contact with the WHO and PAHO.

Last Wednesday the Prime Minister announced that 461,000 doses would be ordered once a vaccine was certified by the WHO.

"The Ministry of Health will be guided by the WHO for the selection of a vaccine," she explained.

Abdool-Richards also noted that the government and PAHO signed an agreement on Tuesday for the distribution of the vaccine by the Ministry of Health.