With the first cases of the Omicron Covid-19 Variant now being confirmed in Costa Rica and Panama, as well as a suspected case in Honduras, it’s probably only a matter of time until the first case(s) will be reported here in Nicaragua.
In a pre-Christmas address, the government warned the population about the Omicron threat facing Nicaragua and the possibility of a new wave of Covid-19 but did not yet confirm any cases.
Through the government news channels and web sites the Vice President, Rosario Murillo urged families to “Look at the international media to see how children are being affected by the new Omicron Variant of the Covid-19 virus”. Murillo added that “We must protect ourselves”.
In one of the strongest pleas yet for the population to get vaccinated, the Vice President reminded parents who have not yet taken their children to be vaccinated that they still have a reserve of doses to vaccinate them.
Murillo also reminded the population that it wasn’t only the children but equally important were the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic health issues. “Every day we make the call to get vaccinated and to continue with the health and safety measures” said Murillo. (See MINSA below).
This is the first time the government has talked directly about Covid-19 Variants, with the Vice President referring to what the scientists are saying; “the same pandemic, new variants, new waves and apparently, according to scientists, we are going to be that way, therefore we must protect ourselves” said the Vice President.
Voluntary Vaccination Program
The Nicaraguan government gives the country’s vaccination rate figure as around the 75% mark of the population over 2 years old.
If you have been following the delivery announcements of vaccine doses from all over the world, it would appear that Nicaragua has certainly received enough doses to vaccinate that many people and more.
Donations continue to arrive with the latest deliveries being 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca from Japan and 800,000 vaccine doses from China.
In addition, it is hoped that early next year, the “Made in Nicaragua” CoviVac vaccine will be distributed across the country.
MINSA
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) continues to remind the population and visitors of the need to follow the preventative measures;
- Take advantage of the free Covid-19 Vaccine Program. Get your initial and booster shots.
- Use a proper, well fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth.
- Avoid crowds and crowded areas. Outdoor, open and ventilated spaces are preferred and can make a substantial difference to the level of infection.
- Hand washing, resisting face touching and proper cold, cough, flu and sneezing protocol (much like the usual annual flue control advice).
TRIVIA: The Covid-19 Variant naming system was introduced by The World Health Organization (WHO). It uses the Greek alphabet to describe ‘variants of interest’ and the more serious ‘variants of concern’. The system has already used up 10 of the possible 24 letters in describing 6 variants of interest and 4 variants of concern identified since December 2020.
