(CMR) Jamaica has confirmed four cases of the new variant of COVID-19, which was identified in the United Kingdom last month.
The confirmed cases were passengers who arrived on the island on a UK flight on December 21.
Passengers from the flight were quarantined and tested for the virus following news that the new variant, 70% more transmissible, was in the UK.
There were 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the flight. Samples were also sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for evaluation.
On Saturday evening Minister of Health Dr. Christopher Tufton announced that the new variant was confirmed among the cases.
Following news of the new variant in the UK, several countries, including Jamaica, imposed travel restrictions on flights from the UK.
Jamaica has since extended its travel ban on flights from the UK until January 31.
On Saturday, Jamaica recorded 118 new COVID infections bringing the country's total number of infections to 13,033.
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