Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, confirmed that the island’s COVID-19 numbers continue its steady decline.
“This past week we continue to register low numbers of cases, the seven-day average approximation continues to indicate a steep downward trend in the epidemiological curve. We note reductions in most of the public health indicators,” she said in her weekly updates.
As the island move towards living safely with COVID-19, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs has integrated many aspects of the COVID-19 response into the general functions of the system. According to the CMO, “this will facilitate the strengthening of the other public health and primary care programs which have been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” The isolation, quarantine and testing protocols have already been communicated and changes to the contact tracing, home monitoring, vaccination sites and Respiratory Clinics location changes will be shared this week.
Most of the other services have been restored to normal operations and a special appeal was made to all organizations, public and private sectors to ensure the strengthening of all public health protocols. “We continue working with the various sectors to reduce restrictive protocols without increasing health risks” the C.M.O affirmed.
Confirmation that the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are available at the various wellness centers and advertised vaccination sites was also made during the recorded update. “These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting persons from developing COVID-19, its severe forms, complications, hospitalizations and death. The booster vaccine is also available for persons who have been fully vaccinated for over 6 months. Everyone who has not been vaccinated is urged to get vaccinated urgently” she ended in saying.