The Ministry of Health in a statement on December 28th, 2021, confirmed that the island is currently experiencing its 5th wave of COVID-19.
“As of December 26, 2021 Saint Lucia has diagnosed a total of 13,319 cases in country, with 204 active cases presently. The daily infection rate for the last 7 days is 11.6 per 100,000 population per day, with a 7% testing positivity rate and a transmission rate of 1.9. We have noted a total of 292 COVID-19 deaths. We have 18 positive cases admitted at the Respiratory Hospital, 2 cases are critically ill and 2 are severely ill. We note increases in most of the public health indicators over the last 7 days, the transmission rate, test positivity rate, increased active cases, and the epidemiological wave depicts the upward trajectory of the start of the 5th wave,” the release stated.
According to the Department of Health, while the island is at high risk of introduction of the Omicron variant which is characterized for the high level of transmission, Saint Lucia still has the Delta Variant in circulation locally. “December is our highest risk month for COVID-19 transmission. We understand the COVID-19 fatigue experienced by the population at this time and the nature of the festive season. However, it is imperative at this point that we reduce the level of social activities and ensure compliance with all the public health measures. Health and safety must be our priority.”
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs received notification from the Caribbean Public Health Agency of 20 new cases of the Delta Variant. 14 of the cases are nationals and 6 are visitors, the majority of the local cases are from Anse la Raye and Dennery. 13 of them are female, 7 male and the ages range from 3 months to 77 years. A total of 54 cases of the Alpha Variant and 71 cases of the Delta Variant have been diagnosed in country thus far.