CARPHA confirm that Omicron variant in Guyana after testing Covid-19 samples

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, Dr. Anthony said the samples were recently
sent to the regional public health agency. “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,” Minister Anthony
stressed.
Dr. Anthony pointed out that the general decline in cases countrywide, after peaking at more
than 13,000. He said that the current active cases stand at 494, with active cases in Region Four
dropping to 144 after several months. Meanwhile, he noted that 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 sub-type.
The minister noted that 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. The health minister said 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,” minister Anthony said. Dr. Anthony
pointed out 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 reiterated. Minister Anthony noted that 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.
Meanwhile, he added that hospitalisation numbers continue to decrease with mostly older
persons with underlying conditions being hospitalised.