Public Health identifies five variants of COVID-19 in the country
The Ministry of Public Health reported that there are no indications that the variants of COVID-19 in the country have a higher level of contagion than the one that was originally circulating.
In a press conference, the authorities reported that they have identified, through the sentinel surveillance they carry out, the circulation in the country of at least 5 different variants of COVID-19.
The variants recognized in the country are from Belgium (B.1.1.247) and the United Kingdom (B.1.165) detected in Espaillat; likewise, that of Belgium was found in Santo Domingo Este.
Likewise, two variants from the United States were detected, B.1.108 in the National District and B.1.429 in La Altagracia province. It should be noted that, according to the authorities, the American variant is not the one in Washington Heights, but investigations are being carried out to confirm.
In addition, a variant originating in the Netherlands, identified as B.1.1.122, is also present in the National District.
This information was offered by the Public Health authorities, including the Deputy Minister, Ivelisse Acosta; Dr. Eddy PĂ©rez and the Director of Epidemiology, Ronald Skewes; who do not rule out that there are more variants in the country.
They also pointed out that 90 monthly samples are taken each month and sent abroad for evaluation.
Of those 90 samples, 60 are sent to Brazil to be studied by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the rest are sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.