The prioritisation of the immunization program in St. Lucia is bearing fruit with 20 percent of the population said to be fully vaccinated as of this week, while 26 percent has received one dose of the vaccine.
Minister for Health Moses ‘Musa’ Jn Baptiste Thursday spoke of an increase uptake in vaccinations with a total of 48,222 persons receiving first dose of vaccines and 36,575 second dose of vaccines to date of both the Astra Zeneca and Pfizer.
“At this stage, we note the overall reduction in transmission rate but we are still at a critical phase and we cannot let our guard down. After discussions and dialogue with the members of the COVID-19 Management Center, the decision was made to extend the COVID-19 protocols currently in place until the end of October. The extended protocols shall commence on Saturday October 16, 2021 and end on Thursday, October 30, 2021,” Jn Baptiste said.
He said that the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs closely monitors the progress of the fourth wave in-country, and from July 25, 2021 to October 10, 2021 noted 6,475 cases at an average of 84 cases per day. The daily infection rate for the past week was 22.1 per 100,000 per day which is a 68% decrease from the previous week. There was also a steady decline in the rate of transmission.
“Sadly, during that period we note 133 COVID-19 deaths with a case fatality rate of 2.1%. Males account for 56% of the deaths,” the Minister said.
Saint Lucia at this time is reflecting reductions in the transmission rate, hospitalization rates, positivity rates and prevalence rates which forecasts resolution in November, 2021 if public health measures are maintained by the general public.