On Thursday, July 30, 2020 the Ministry of Health and Wellness reported its 25th case of COVID-19. Presently, the individual is in the Intensive Care Unit at the Respiratory Hospital for management and care. The clinical team reports that he is stable and responding well to care. The team continues investigations and contact tracing to establish the source and contain transmission. Four (4) caretakers and close relatives have been swabbed and placed in quarantine.
Three (3) health care workers, fourteen (14) patients have been tested and placed in quarantine due to possible exposure. This gentleman received many visits by family and friends during his recuperation at home. Investigations continue into a possible contact with a travel history at this time. We await test results before any links are confirmed and communicated.
On Thursday, July 9, 2020 Saint Lucia received its first international flight since the border closure in March, 2020. In an effort to safely facilitate the return of our nationals quarantine centres have been set up using various hotels. This has proved to be an important measure in containing COVID-19 on island and failure to adhere can have serious implications for disease containment.
Over the last few months, many persons who have been granted home quarantine have not been adhering to those protocols established. All persons on home quarantine are required to stay indoors for 14 days. The public is asked to cooperate and encourage family members and friends who have return from overseas and are presently in quarantine to remain at home for the 14 day duration. Failure to adhere can lead to community spread of COVID-19 at this time.
The names of all persons in home quarantine are forwarded to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force RSLPF to assist with compliance. The public is advised to alert the nearest police station or the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 468-5318/ 468-5349 with information in relation to anyone who breaches home quarantine guidelines.
Further updates will be provided as the information becomes available. For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively
