COVID-19’s Mu variant discovered in the BVI

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has confirmed that the Mu Variant is present in the Virgin Islands.

The discovery was made on Sunday, September 5 when two of three samples genetically sequenced by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) returned positive.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges said the Mu variant or variant B.1.621.1, as it was called, was previously identified in the territory and at that time was not designated as “variant of interest” nor “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization.

The variant has since been designated Mu and a “variant of interest’ by the World Health Organization on August 30. Dr. Georges said the cases identified now and previously were all quarantined and cleared in accordance with established protocols.

Mu was first identified in Colombia and has since been detected in 39 countries. While the variant makes up less than 0.1% of COVID infections, it is increasing in prevalence in specific South American countries.

“Evidence is still being gathered but Mu does have the potential to become a ‘variant of concern.’ Dr. Georges said. He added: “Mu appears to have a number of mutations that indicate it may have potential for immune escape but it is not yet known if it may escape vaccine immunity or if it is more transmissible or causes more severe disease.”