New global COVID variant prompts local authorities to ramp up precautions 

Guyana’s Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said local health authorities are on alert and taking the necessary precautions to protect persons against the spread of a new variant of COVID-19. 

Regional Health Officers (RHOs) have all been mandated to ensure that sufficient testing kits and isolation spaces are available at health facilities countrywide, Dr. Anthony told the News Room on Saturday. 

The new COVID-19 strain of concern is the NB.1.8.1. Its symptoms are similar to those associated with other variants, including fevers, coughs, and fatigue. 

“That one [the NB.1.81] they’re seeing in other parts of the world, that you’re getting some hospitalisations… across the country, all RHOs are on alerts to make sure we have enough test kits and so,” the Health Minister explained. 

He added, “(We’re) putting our systems on alert to make sure we have testing capacity.” 

Outside of testing and isolation, Dr. Anthony said the local health authorities are on alert to ensure that anyone who needs hospitalisation can get support quickly.