Media Release: COVID-19 update



by Ministry of Health
IMPORTANCE OF SECTOR SPECIFIC PROTOCOLS.

As of June 29, 2020, the World Health Organization reported a total of 10, 021,401 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, with 499,913 deaths. Within the region of the Americas there was a total of 5, 042,486 cases.

Saint Lucia has recorded a total of 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19, all of those cases have fully recovered. A total of 1,667 tests have been carried out to date.

Today marks six months since the reporting of the first case of COVID-19 to the World Health Organization. Since then we have witnessed that spread of this virus across the globe, evidence of how closely interconnected we are despite our geographical boundaries. This reinforces our reminders from the Ministry of Health that despite our last case of COVID-19 being recorded on June 4, the continued spread of COVID-19 globally justifies our need for continued vigilance and precaution locally. Added to this, the single highest global record of new cases was recorded yesterday by the World Health Organization.



The threat of the COVID-19 epidemic remains real and a public health priority to every nation including ours. In March, 2020 the public health team of the Ministry of Health and Wellness estimated the region would be managing COVID-19 for the next 2 years.

The Director of PAHO Dr. Carissa Etienne on June 27, 2020 advised the Caribbean to prepare to manage COVID-19 for the next 2 years. Public health protocols have been recommended for every sector as we implement the phased re-opening of the economy. These measures ensure physical distancing, infection prevention and control and source control. We understand the inconvenience they pose on everyone, but we must remain focused on the aim to reduce and prevent the transmission of COVID-19 at all levels.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness congratulates the Ministry of Education for its commitment and dedicated effort at re-opening its sector while making priority the protection of the health and safety of all its stakeholders. The Ministry of Education successfully re-opened school for specific groups of students, which included grade six students and successful completion of the common entrance exams. The reports from the Environmental Health Officers and Public Health Nurses on the measures implemented by the various schools to facilitate the phased re-opening have been very positive. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Education as we move forward.



Although at this point, our last community case was over 2 months ago and we continue to note negative results on testing, the protocols remain important as we continue to move forward. As we move into the phases of higher risk we anticipate the introduction of cases with both returning nationals and tourist arrivals. The maintenance of these protocols will allow the country to continue functioning while we manage in country cases without the continuous shut downs. These protocols are in place to protect the consumer, the workers and the owners of establishments. The Ministry of Health and Wellness encourages all sectors to continue working with us as we continue managing COVID-19. At this stage practically all national sectors have re-opened, with the exception of mass crowd events. We note that with time there is tendency for persons to go back to old and familiar behaviours and as such, there has been an apparent lessening in adherence on the public health measures by some members of the public.

As social activity has increased and the impending reopening of Saint Lucia to commercial travel, the public is reminded to continue adhering to recommended measures. These include: – regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer where soap and water is not available – cover mouth and nose with disposable tissues or clothing when coughing and sneezing – avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing – wear your home made or cloth mask whenever leaving home – maintain a 6 foot distance when in public even while wearing a mask – seek medical attention if you have symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness – When shopping, refrain from touching items unless you intend to buy them – Avoid mass crowd events and activities at this time.

The Community Wellness centres and respiratory clinics remain open to provide care to all in need, please utilise their services in a timely manner. The Department of Health and Wellness will continue providing regular updates on COVID-19.



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