SAINT LUCIA RECORDS 26 new cases of COVID-19

Over the course of the Christmas weekend between December 24 and December 27, 2020, a total of 314 COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Ezra Long Laboratory. From these the Ministry of Health received confirmation of twenty-six new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of cases diagnosed in country to 331.

On Friday December 25, 2020, thirteen cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. Four of the cases were non-nationals who range in age from 5 months to 52 years. The other nine cases recorded on that day were Saint Lucian nationals from the Vieux- Fort, Castries, Dennery, Micoud and Choiseul districts ranging in age from 21 years to 61 years.

On Monday December 28, 2020 confirmation of an additional thirteen COVID-19 cases was received. Eleven were non-nationals ranging in age from 5 years to 46 years. The other two cases were nationals from the Babonneau district ranging in age from 38 years to 41 years.

Eight of the twenty-six cases were contacts of previous cases and had been tested and placed in quarantine pending their results. Currently, arrangements have been made for the isolation of the all of these newly diagnosed cases. None of the cases require critical care at this point.

The Ministry of Health has recorded a total of 274 recoveries to date with 57 active cases presently in country.

The public is reminded of the importance of practicing the infection prevention and control measures to minimize COVID-19 infections:

• Wash your hands often during the day using soap and flowing water
• Wear a mask in public places and ensure it covers the mouth, chin and nose
• Maintain a distance of six feet physical distance from others
• Avoid contact with other people who have flu-like symptoms
• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, keep away from others and seek medical care at the closest community respiratory clinic

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates 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