The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has received confirmation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency of 12 cases of COVID-19 sub variant XBB1.5 in Saint Lucia. This sub variant of Omicron has been circulating in China, the United States, United Kingdom and also other countries in the region. The cases are distributed in most districts in Saint Lucia, although the northern and central regions of the country are most affected. We estimate that this variant is already widely distributed across the country at this point. 7 of the cases received are male and 5 are female, ages range from 5-74 years with one hospitalized case. At present we have sequenced about 13 sub-variants of omicron circulating in country.

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