BREAKING: Investigation launched into Saint Lucian who tested positive for COVID-19 in St.Vincent: Contact Tracing begins, work colleagues to be tested, quarantined

The Department of Health and Wellness has received information concerning a positive case of
COVID-19 detected in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The individual in question is a Saint Lucian national who travelled to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and was screened and tested as per the island’s national protocols. On July 21, 2020 the sample was tested at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and results of the PCR test was confirmed for COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Wellness has since deployed a team to conduct investigations both at the home and at the workplace of the individual. The team from the Department of Health is currently doing the necessary contact tracing and investigations in order to determine the source of infection as well as level of exposure of contacts in order to interrupt the chain of transmission. The team consists of officers from the Epidemiology Unit, the Infectious Diseases Unit, Community Nursing, Bureau of Health Education and Environmental Health.

We operate from a holistic approach ensuring that not just screening and contact tracing is done
but also thorough inspection of the surroundings and adherence to protocols. All staff members will be screened and tested as deemed necessary by the team. Staff will also receive guidance from the team on home quarantine and how to keep themselves and their families safe.

Discussions are ongoing with the management of the establishment and guidance has been issued to
ensure that staff remains quarantined until completion of this mandatory quarantine period. Guidance
on infection prevention and control will also be re-emphasized.

The Department of Health and Wellness takes this opportunity to remind persons of the need to
adhere to the protocols for home quarantine. We continue to receive reports of violations of home
quarantine. These protocols have been put in place to protect public, especially our most
vulnerable. We appeal to persons to be more responsible and to comply with the guidelines and
protocols that they have agreed to.

Persons are encouraged to ensure the use of a face mask when in public, along with maintaining the
six feet physical distance, cover mouth and nose with disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing
and also ensure regular hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer where
soap and water is not available.

The Department of Health and Wellness will continue providing regular updates on COVID-19.