Jamaica is monitoring a new variant of the COVID-19 virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated NB.1.8.1 a “variant under monitoring” as of May 23, amid rising case numbers particularly in the United States.

According to the WHO, more than 91,000 COVID-19 cases were reported globally between April 14 and May 11 , a threefold increase over previous figures , with the NB.1.8.1 variant detected in 22 countries across Europe, Asia and North America.

Experts say the new variant is more transmissible but not more virulent.

Speaking with IRIE FM News yesterday, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed that Jamaica is monitoring the variant.

Other countries in the Caribbean to include Barbados and St. Lucia are also monitoring NB.1.8.1.