As of May 8th, 2022 Saint Lucia has diagnosed a total of 23,778 cases in country, with352active cases presently. The daily infection rate for the last 7 days is 25.1 per 100, 000 population per day which represents an 88% increase from last week, with a 16%averagetesting positivity rate and a transmission rate of 1.9. We have noted a total of 368COVID-19 deaths. We have 10 positive COVID-19 cases admitted at the Respiratory Hospital. Thispast week we continue to register cases daily, we note increases in our publichealthindicators.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has recently received newgenesequencing results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency. The results indicatethepresence of both the Omicron BA1 and BA2 Lineages. The Omicron Variant BA1whichhas been circulating since February 2022 was confirmed in 1 of the samples sequencedand16 cases of the Omicron BA2 Variant and 1 BA2.1. All of the samples are fromlocals, 61%are male and 44% of the cases are from the southern part of the island. The OmicronBA2variant is responsible for the new waves noted regionally and internationally.

Based on the data analysis, we note the upward trajectory of the 6th wave in country. Weanticipate increasing numbers over the next few weeks. The Omicron sub-variant BA2ischaracterized for high transmissibility. It is expected to affect entire households, productivity in the work places, school absenteeism for quarantine and isolation, increasedhospitalization and Respiratory Clinic numbers.

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19 and as restrictive measures are removed, we needtoensure that our proven public health protective measures are in place to prevent us fromgettingsick and to protect the most vulnerable. The public is reminded that the threat of COVID-19, long COVID and its complications still exists, especially given our below average immunizationrate in country.

The Ministry of Health continues to ensure that the necessary measures are inplacetoeffectively manage the new cases. However, personal responsibility is extremely important atthis time, to reduce transmission of infection to ourselves and our family. The public is guidedtocontinue the use of face masks in public, ensure hand washing and proper general sanitization. The public is also advised to use their discretion and limit their attendance at mass crowdactivities.

To reduce the spread within class rooms, parents are reminded to avoid sending childrenwithrespiratory signs and symptoms and children who were directly exposed to positive casestoschool.

The Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Johnson and Johnson and Moderna vaccines are availableat thevarious wellness centers. The booster vaccine is also available for persons who have beenfullyvaccinated for over 6 months. Everyone who has not been vaccinated is urged to get vaccinatedurgently.

We appeal to all organizations, public and private sector to ensure the maintenance of thepublichealth protocols. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will be providingmoreinformation and guidance over the next few days. For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the EpidemiologyUnit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively.