Two more cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been recorded in the country. According to a press release from the Ministry of Health five cases of the variant have now been confirmed.

The fourth patient recently returned to Trinidad from the United States via Puerto Rico. As per existing quarantine protocols, the person provided a negative PCR test which was taken 72-hours prior to arrival.

However, the fifth patient had no recent history of travel or known contact with another positive COVID-19 case.

Both patients were isolated and will remain in isolation until they meet the enhanced discharge criteria for persons with COVID-19 Variants of Concern. Additionally, contacts of the positive Omicron COVID-19 cases have been quarantined.

The presence of the Omicron variants were confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies.