Update on Saint Lucian who tested positive for COVID-19 in St. Vincent: 154 co-workers tested

Saint Lucia has recorded a total of 24 COVID-19 cases to date, 22 of these cases have fully recovered and 2 patients remain in care at the Respiratory Hospital and remain stable. A total of 2,597 tests have been conducted to date. The Ministry of Health was also informed by the St. Vincent’s Health Ministry of a Saint Lucian national who travelled to St Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday, July 19, 2020 and after screening was tested positive for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has
implemented a number of interventions to manage the situation.

The family and close friends of the individual have been tested and placed in government quarantine. The health team has visited the work place of the individual. All of the employees were screened and a total of 154 employees have been tested and placed into quarantine. None of the contacts of the individual including the family, friends and employees are symptomatic. The results are expected to be available by this evening or tomorrow. The Ministry of Health awaits reports on the occupational health and safety measures at the workplace from the Environmental Health Department to guide on the way forward.

As we continue with the phased re-opening of the country, the risk for introduction of COVID19 has increased. The public is advised on the adherence of the public health measures that have
been recommended. These include the use face masks in public and maintain safe physical
distance from others.

We continue to advise on the importance of maintaining the standard recommendations for infection prevention and control which include:

– regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer where soap and water is
not available.

– cover mouth and nose with disposable tissues or clothing when coughing and sneezing.

The Ministry of Health will continue providing further updates on COVID-19.