ROSEAU, Dominica – The Dominica government says it does not anticipate having to lock down the island in the foreseeable future to deal with a new wave of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections and has also indicated that it is holding discussions with various stakeholders on whether the country should stage its annual Carnival celebrations in March.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica government says the current coronavirus (COVID-19) containment measures have been extended for a further two weeks until January 27 as the island seeks to deal with the impact of the virus that has killed 2, 502 and infected 105,172 others since March 2020.

GENEVA – The current coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines may need to be updated to ensure their continued effectiveness against Omicron and future variants, an expert group appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) said it is taking “very seriously” threats made against staff members after a video began circulating here in which staff of the Pediatric Department are being threatened with grievous bodily harm.

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas government says it will make available, 1,000 free tests to the population daily, even as it warned that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) will seriously affect unvaccinated people in the coming months.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana –Guyana Friday reported 847 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pushing the country’s active cases to 4,295 and worrying health officials that most of the new cases were among young people.

HAMILTON, Bermuda — Bermuda’s active coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have soared beyond 1,100 as a scientist in charge of the island’s fight against the virus announced she is to leave the job at the end of the month after accusing the government of ignoring her advice.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Attorney General, Steadroy Benjamin has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and is urging members of the population to take responsibility for their own health and get tested and vaccinated against the virus that has killed 119 people and infected 4, 486 others since March in 2020.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Health officials are putting contingency plans in place for additional isolation facilities as they brace for a surge in COVID-19 infections, with the potential for thousands of new cases daily.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago health officials Wednesday expressed concern at the increasing numbers of pediatric cases stemming from the coronavirus and appealed once more for people to stop using Ivermectin, a broad spectrum anti-parasitic agent.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana has registered 485 cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours and health authorities are worried that the record number of infections could continue as the country deals with the Omicron variant of the pandemic.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago health authorities on Monday warned of a possible increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases here following the Christmas holidays and increased movement of people over the festive period.