rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
The more infectious and deadlier Delta variant was found in two people from among the community within the St George West and St George East counties on Sunday.
The Ministry of Health has been urging people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. But now that the Delta variant is believed to be within our communities, the call has been heightened.
Professor of Molecular Genetics and Virology Christine Carrington told Guardian Media that while the Delta variant is feared to be more virulent, the vaccines are still effective and safe.
“The Delta variant is noted for its ability to spread through populations more rapidly than other variants and has been associated with more severe disease. Although it also contains mutations that cause it to be less easily neutralised by vaccine-induced antibodies, studies have shown that the vaccines continue to be extremely effective at reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalisation and death,” she said.
She added, “It’s very important that people get vaccinated. In addition to providing protection against severe COVID-19, vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the disease if they become infected. So, by getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting those around you, the healthcare system and also our economy. Highly vaccinated populations can get on with life, even in the face of Delta variant,” she said.
Guardian Media visited popular areas within the St George East and West counties to find out how people feel about the Delta and if it would prompt them to get vaccinated. Reactions were mixed but there seemed to be no real concern about the Delta threat.
Here’s what they had to say:
GARY ANDERSON
NICOLE DRAYTON
Gary Anderson, Tunapuna- “I not surprised because all the vaccines they giving people right now, none of them things sure of getting rid of that problem.”
MAROJRIE SOOKHAL
NICOLE DRAYTON
Marojrie Sookhal, Tunapuna- “I don’t feel that is true because we done have the COVID and we believe in the COVID. But I don’t believe that there is Delta.”
SEERAM JORDAN
NICOLE DRAYTON
Seeram Jordan, Tunapuna- “I ain’t feel no different (knowing Delta is here). I ain’t scared. I ain’t bothered. I take the vaccine. It go save me.”
ALVIN RODRIGUEZ
Alvin Rodriguez, Tunapuna- “I’m a child of the most high. No plague shall come nigh yuh dwellings. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved. I haven’t been vaccinated but I still studying it. I want to know more about it.”
KIRK LEQUAY
Kirk Lequay, Tunapuna- “If all the people get stab (vaccinated) you have a chance. But if nobody want to get it and they like it how it going what do you do? The trouble is you give people a choice. You have to make the choice.”
MALIQUE LA MORELL
Malique La Morrel, Tunapuna- “I feel concerned (about the Delta discovery). We should take more measures...once you doing the correct thing you have nothing to be frightened about.”
MITCH RAM
NICOLE DRAYTON
Mitch Ram, Arouca- “We have to protect we self...be careful. That’s the most we could do right now.”
DARREN CHARLES
NICOLE DRAYTON
Darren Charles, Arouca- “I don’t believe in that you know (the vaccines) because at the end of the day you still could get sick. Anyhow you take it you could still get sick.”
Necessary Anthony
TIMMY CHASTEAU
Necessary Anthony, Arouca- “We cant stop the variant from coming so my advice to everyone is to get vaccinated...to keep it at bay and the solution is no other choice but that.”
Carenage resident Desmond Ryan speaks about his experience after taking the COVID-19 outside the fish depot on the Western Main Road in Carenage, yesterday.
NICOLE DRAYTON
Desmond Ryan, Carenage- “They say as I gotten the COVID-19 (contracted COVID-19 before) and the variant here I more susceptible to (contract it again). But me ain’t frighten.”
