PRESS RELEASE — Today, Wednesday October 14, 2020 Saint Lucia recorded 2 new cases of COVID-19. The individuals are a couple, a 38 year old female and a 47 year old male of Castries. They both developed respiratory signs and symptoms which led them to seek care at a Community Respiratory Clinic on Monday October 12, 2020 where they were treated for their symptoms and tested for COVID-19. At that point they did not report risk exposure to COVID-19. As per protocol, they were sent home for isolation, awaiting results. Upon receiving their confirmed COVID-19 results, arrangements have been made for their transfer to the Respiratory Hospital for care.
Their son who is a secondary school student shall be assessed and tested for COVID-19 and placed in quarantine. The class mates and teachers shall also be assessed and will be kept in home quarantine until his test results are received. Contact tracing has commenced for the possible contacts of these 2 new cases.
Saint Lucia has now recorded a total of 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 27 of the confirmed cases have recovered and reintegrated into their communities, currently there are 4 active cases in care at the Respiratory Hospital. A total of 8,654 tests have been conducted to date.
At this point, to maintain the gains achieved so far, and given the new risks introduced by these new cases, and maintain public health and safety it is imperative that each and every one of us play our part to keep our most vulnerable safe. This includes the use of masks in all public places, keeping a safe distance from others, avoiding mass crowd activities and social activities, maintain the infection prevention and control measures including at home, work, avoiding contact with others with respiratory signs and symptoms as well as or seeking immediate care if you develop have these signs or symptoms.
The five community respiratory clinics remain open for persons who present signs and symptoms. The 311 information hotline is available to help address COVID related questions and concerns. The treatment and care for COVID-19 related conditions remain free of charge to the public.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates as new information is received.
For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5325 respectively