ST JAMES, Jamaica – Medical Officer of Health for Hanover, Dr Kaushal Singh, is imploring residents and visitors to the parish not to drop their guard and to continue to protect themselves against COVID-19.

In his report at the monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation on Thursday, Dr Singh noted that the parish reported only one active COVID-19 case in December, however, there is no room for complacency, particularly with the emergence of the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant in 2022.

“There is a new sub-variant of COVID-19… circulating in at least 65 countries including …neighbouring countries like (the) United States. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is watching it closely,” he said, noting that available information from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that it is highly transmissible.

Dr Singh is urging persons, particularly those 65 years and older, and those with significant underlying health conditions, to get vaccinated, and individuals who are already fully vaccinated to get their booster shots.

“Those who have had COVID-19 before are still susceptible to infection but vaccines are helping to protect against serious illness,” he pointed out.

Vaccination coverage in Hanover remains low at approximately 37,702 doses.

Dr Singh also reported an increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses and recommended that persons observe the same protocols as those for COVID-19.

These include staying at home when feeling ill; washing hands frequently and properly; wearing a mask in crowded spaces; covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing; using a tissue and disposing of it properly after use, and if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze in the elbows, not hands.

Dr Singh said that the Hanover Health Department is “closely monitoring influenza-like illness”, which he noted, is below the epidemic threshold.

He said that the department remains vigilant following the holiday period, when “persons usually get exposed to different people gathering to celebrate the festive season.”

The flu season extends from October to March.