HomeHealthCOVID-19COVID-19 Variant In SKN Widespread In South America

COVID-19 Variant In SKN Widespread In South America

Published on

spot_img

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st June 2021)-The type of COVID-19 variant circulating in St.Kitts and Nevis, called Lambda, is prevalent in South America countries, and is of interest to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The disclosure was made by the Chief Medical officer Dr. Hazel Laws during the health situation report at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Saturday 26th June 2021.

“We’ve gotten a number of questions regarding the genomic sequencing process, and so we shared with you about 3-4 weeks ago that we sent off samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for genomic sequencing. So the result just returned and I want to share with you the SARS -2 variant that is in circulation in the Federation at present.”

Dr. Laws indicated that reports say that the SARS-2 variant belongs to the lineage B.1.1.1 or C.37. The World Health Organization’s label for this variant is the Lambda variant.

She went on to say that it is “classified as a variant of interest” by the WHO.“

The SARS-2 variant was first identified in Peru in August of last year, and to date it has been identified in over 29 countries. It is quite prevalent in the South American Countries including Argentina,” the CMO shared.

Local health officials say Lambda is more transmissible.

Latest articles

Drone Survey Uncovers 17 Promising Groundwater Sites Across Saint Kitts

The report from the survey conducted across Saint Kitts was presented to the Water Services Department on October 06, 2025. At the Sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, October 17, 2025, Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable Konris Maynard, shared that 17 sites have been identified with the promise to provide potable water – that is, water safe for consumption.

SKELEC Bids Farewell to Corporate Communications Manager Ms. Patrice Harris

Since joining SKELEC in 2020, Ms. Harris has played a pivotal role in reshaping the company’s corporate image. Through strategic branding, community engagement, and innovative communications, she successfully modernized SKELEC’s public presence, making it more relatable, and customer-focused. Her efforts helped build stronger trust between the company and the public, and positioned SKELEC as a forward-thinking utility provider in the region.

Nevisian businesswoman Shobaina Prince wins Taiwan ICDF Entrepreneurial Elite Pitch Competition

Nevisian entrepreneur Shobaina Prince, owner of Native Radiance, has been named winner of the Entrepreneurial Elite Pitch Competition, hosted under the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund’s (ICDF) Women’s Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Inclusion (WEEEFI) Project.

Ministry Of Agriculture Turns World Food Day’s 2025 Message Into Meaningful Action

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources continued its tradition of community outreach by partnering with the St. Christopher Outreach Center to provide hot, nutritious meals to members of the community at its annual luncheon on Friday, October 17, 2025.

More like this

Drone Survey Uncovers 17 Promising Groundwater Sites Across Saint Kitts

The report from the survey conducted across Saint Kitts was presented to the Water Services Department on October 06, 2025. At the Sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, October 17, 2025, Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable Konris Maynard, shared that 17 sites have been identified with the promise to provide potable water – that is, water safe for consumption.

SKELEC Bids Farewell to Corporate Communications Manager Ms. Patrice Harris

Since joining SKELEC in 2020, Ms. Harris has played a pivotal role in reshaping the company’s corporate image. Through strategic branding, community engagement, and innovative communications, she successfully modernized SKELEC’s public presence, making it more relatable, and customer-focused. Her efforts helped build stronger trust between the company and the public, and positioned SKELEC as a forward-thinking utility provider in the region.

Nevisian businesswoman Shobaina Prince wins Taiwan ICDF Entrepreneurial Elite Pitch Competition

Nevisian entrepreneur Shobaina Prince, owner of Native Radiance, has been named winner of the Entrepreneurial Elite Pitch Competition, hosted under the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund’s (ICDF) Women’s Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Inclusion (WEEEFI) Project.