The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs today Saturday, October 16, 2021, confirms a total of thirty-one (31) new cases of COVID-19. These cases were processed on Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Ezra Long Laboratory from a total of 294 samples which were collected between October 14 and October 15, 2021. This number of positive cases makes up 10.5% of all the samples processed on that date. These new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in-country to date to 12,206.

The Ministry of Health also reports one (1) new COVID-19 death and two (2) new COVID-19 related deaths. All these deaths occurred during the period September 28, 2021 to October 12, 2021. To date, the total number of COVID-19 deaths in country is 180 and the total number of COVID-19 related deaths is 56.

COVID-19 death #180 is a 52 year old male from the Gros-Islet district. COVID-19 related death #55 is a 88 year old female of the Vieux- Fort district. COVID-19 related death #56 is an 83 year old male from the Vieux- Fort district. The Ministry of Health extends condolences to the bereaved families, friends and loved ones of all of these individuals.

Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 92 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This brings the number of active cases in-country to 574. Currently, eleven (11) individuals are severely ill at the Respiratory Hospital.

To date, a total of 36,437 individuals have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and 30,579 have received the second dose. A total of 12,646 individuals have received the first dose and 7,038 individuals have received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccinations will resume on Monday, October 18, 2021 at the Vigie Sports Complex and the Soufriere Hospital. Vaccinations are scheduled for distribution at both sites from 9 am to 4 pm. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue providing daily updates to the public as new information becomes available. For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively.