Despite a downtrend in positive COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has confirmed the presence of more cases of the highly transmissible UK variants from test samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

Speaking during yesterday’s (April 29) COVID Conversations, Tufton stated that, of the 50 samples that were sent to determine variant strains, only 10 were found suitable for sequencing.

Of the 10 samples tested, the presence of the UK variant was confirmed in seven of the case samples, while the remaining three had mutations that are now being investigated in the United States and the United Kingdom.

This three however, “have not been designated to be variants of concern”.

In light of the confirmation of the UK variants, Tufton said that “it could possibly explain the rate of spread that we have experienced on the second surge”.

He added, that “the fact that we have the UK variant strain here would be cause for additional recognition of the measures that need to be taken and that is something the cabinet of Jamaica will have to deliberate on in terms of how we go about doing that”.

Notwithstanding the presence of the UK variant, the country has not, to date, confirmed the presence of the South African or Brazilian variants and the travel ban on South American countries including Brazil remains in effect until May 4, 2021.