Saint Lucia has recorded 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date. Over the last 9 days, the Ministry of Health received confirmation of eight new cases of COVID-19. These were COVID-19 cases number 29 to 36. Given the professions of these cases and the social activities which they undertake a wide contact tracing and testing intervention is being undertaken. This included community-based testing at a number of sites, allowing for testing of a large number of people in a short space of time. During the last 9 days, over 1,200 tests have been conducted in response to the contact tracing efforts.
These cases were from varying communities but the Ministry’s contact tracing team was able to establish a common link of all the cases to the Aux Lyon community on the east coast of Saint Lucia.
During this past week, targeted testing was undertaken in communities of immediate concern at Aux Lyon, Dennery with a total of 167 people being tested, in Desruisseax, Micoud with 15 people tested and for the relevant staff and students of the Castries Comprehensive School with 182 people being tested.
This week contact tracing will be continuing as well as community-based testing, which is one of the strategies for identifying other cases which may exist in the community. This shall continue today Monday, October 19 with the continuation of testing within the Dennery community.
The Ministry of Health is pleased with the support which has been provided by the various organizations of concern as well as by community leaders and gatekeepers in mobilizing residents to participate in the testing efforts. This partnership has had tremendous value for the public health response to the newly diagnosed cases.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to clarify that it has issued no directive that employers of relatives and friends of children who attend the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School to remain at home away from work. Employers of these individuals are asked to take special note that this is required for any employee affiliated with the school. Further, we ask that while school is suspended children remain at home. This period should not be seen as an opportunity for gathering together and socializing face-to-face whether in public or private as we continue to implement strategies to prevent the risk of spreading the virus.
The general public is reminded that though the Ministry of Health has been able to establish a link among cases number 29 to 36, it is possible that there may be community transmission of COVID- 19. As such, we all need to remain on high alert and ensure that throughout each day all the necessary measures are undertaken to reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. This can be done by following the guidelines for preventing the spread of the infection which include consistently using face masks in public places, keeping a safe physical distance from others, washing or sanitizing hands frequently particularly throughout the day and to promptly seek care at the closest Respiratory Clinic if experiencing respiratory signs and symptoms.
It is imperative that we on this ‘Rock’ find a way to get it into the minds of the people
that this beast called Covid-19 is actually a demonic agent escaped from the very realm
of the kingdom of hell. And its not the only one, as I go visiting the young ones, born with
various afflictions, some physical, some mental, psychological, name it; but again, why would
this one born with such intelligence, remembers my favorite dish, followed with vanilla ice cream,
but Bob is bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life? It pains me that I can’t see them now because
of Covid; but how sorry must I be, when after all the warnings, from gov’t to our CMO people still don’t
seem to give a damn. They aren’t crippled like the ones I visit quite often, but only stupid, and some
talk of $1000.oo or 6 months in Prison. I don’t agree ‘BUT’. on a daily basis I agonize on this matter’
the answer rings loudly in my mind:”TRUST IN ME I DID & STILL DO HEAL ALL, ONLY TRUST IN ME”
The Man of Galilee walked on Earth, healed the Lepper, the blind, the Lame, the Deaf and Dumb, raised
the dead and that old lady bent over who only touched the Hem of His Garment by faith and was healed.
For those who wouldn’t believe and would not pray, I pray for the whole Medical staff the CMO & the Gov’t