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 2,927 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 undergone intense contact tracing, screening and testing of all possible contacts in relation to this case.
The family, close friends and work colleagues of the individual have been tested and placed in
quarantine. None of the contacts of the individual including the family, friends and employees
have developed symptoms. On Friday, July 24, 2020 a total of 197 test results were received and
on Sunday, July 26, 2020 a total of 133 samples were processed. A total of 330 test results were
all negative. These include the contacts of the case and other samples as per usual. Based on our
review on the weekend there are four (4) outstanding contacts to be tested today.
As we continue with the phased re-opening of the country, the risk for introduction of COVID19 has increased. The public is advised that all protocols are still in place including the reduced numbers for public transportation and protocols for private sector establishments. These also include the use of face masks in public and maintaining 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. For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively
