Saint Lucia records 13 new cases of COVID-19

Statement by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George:

Today, Saturday November 7, 2020 the Ministry of Health received confirmation of 13 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 123.

Case #111 is an 80 year old male from the Soufriere district

Case #112 is a 60 year old male from the Castries district

Case #113 is a 53 year old female from the Gros-Islet district

Case #114 is a 29 year old female from the Vieux-Fort district

Case #115 is a 23 year old female from the Vieux-Fort district

Case #116 is a 49 year old female from the Choiseul district

Case #117 is a 20 year old female from the Micoud district

Case #118 is a 66 year old male from the Castries district

Case #119 is a 36 year old male from the Castries district

Case #120 is a 78 year old male from the Gros-Islet district

Case #121 is a 33 year old male from the Castries district

Case #122 is a 38 year old male from the Castries district

Case #123 is a 44 year old male from the Gros-Islet district

All of the cases, following testing for COVID-19, were placed in quarantine awaiting their test results. Five of these cases were identified through the contact tracing process and epidemiological links have been established for five of these cases. Case #112 is linked to case #74. Case #114 is linked to case #68. Cases #118 and #119 are linked to case #53. Case #121 is linked to case #95. As per protocol, arrangements have been made for the transfer of these individuals into care.

These new cases now bring the number of active cases currently in country to 91. All cases remain stable and there are no cases requiring critical care.

Households, communities, and workplaces are all central to the national effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. By maintaining adherence to the infection prevention and control guidelines in all these various spheres, it is possible for the transmission of the virus to be interrupted. It is possible, by consistently maintaining the measures, even when in the most familiar and comfortable of places, the risk of exposure to the virus will be reduced. We ask all to minimize their movements, avoid social gatherings, and other activities which lend themselves to a greater risk of exposure to the virus. Continue daily practicing the guidelines which include:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when handwashing is not possible
• wear a mask every time you are in public
• maintain a separation of six feet from others which is about two arm’s length apart
• seek medical care if experiencing respiratory symptoms which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat
• avoid contact with people who are experiencing respiratory symptoms

All these practices, when done together, will significantly reduce the likelihood of being infected with or transmitting the virus.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates as new 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