PRESS RELEASE — On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George issued a statement confirming the medical quarantine of a non-national at a public health facility. The individual who arrived in Saint Lucia via a private yacht from a neighboring territory went for medical care at a health facility on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 and also had a significant travel history and respiratory symptoms.
The health care facility, in keeping with guidelines, issued the necessary alerts to ensure protocols of care were enforced. All the necessary support agencies were engaged as part of the response. Based on the health assessments, the required sample was taken from the patient and has been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA for testing. The results are expected to be available by the end of this week. A medical team assessed other passengers on the yacht to ascertain their current health status. The Department of Health and Wellness acknowledges the timely response of our support agencies.
Given the current public health concerns, out of an abundance of caution, the requisite protocols have been activated in the management of the current situation. The Department of Health is aware there is a high level of concern within the Saint Lucian population but we continue to assure the public that measures have been taken to ensure the protection of the health and safety of our medical practitioners, our clients and the public. A further update shall be provided as details become available.
In the interim, the public is asked to continue practicing the standard recommendations to prevent the spread of infection. These 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.
- avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
- seek medical attention and share your travel history with your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel.