Saint Lucia continues to record no additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. On May 21, 2020 a batch of 40 tests conducted were all negative.
This brings the total of national testing to date to 867 tests. Thursday, May 21 , is the eighteenth consecutive day since Saint Lucia recorded a confirmed case of COVID-19. “This is indeed encouraging results for us at the Ministry of Health and certainly for the entire country. However, we should not allow this trend cause us to become complacent.”
The reduced numbers in testing this week is attributed to the reduced number of persons accessing care at the respiratory clinics. We do note a reduced number of persons with respiratory signs and symptoms. We would like to remind the public that our respiratory clinics remain open. The access of care at our respiratory clinics by persons who experienced flu-like symptoms was one of the key means through which we were able to promptly identify persons who fit the case definition of COVID-19, test, isolate and where confirmed for COVID-19, place individuals into care in a timely manner. We encourage every individual who is experiencing flu-like symptoms to access these respiratory clinics.
The service is free to the user and all COVID19 related care is free of charge to the individual.
On Wednesday, May 20, 2020 the World Health Organization reported a total of 4, 731, 458 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, with 316, 169 deaths. Within the region of the Americas a total of 2, 082, 945 confirmed cases were recorded. This date is a significant marker in the global response to COVID-19 as the World Health Organization notes this is the largest single day increase of cases globally. This highlights the continued threat to human health and the level of vigilance which is required in the public health response to COVID-19.