Saint Lucia records 76 new cases of COVID-19

SAINT LUCIA RECORDS CASES #811 TO #886 OF COVID-19

The Ministry of Health and Wellness received confirmation of seventy-six new cases of COVID-19 from the Ezra Long Laboratory late Sunday January 24, 2021. This is from a batch of 309 samples which were tested for samples taken during the period January 18, 2021 to January 24, 2021.

The Ministry of Health also received confirmation on January 24, 2021 of the recovery of thirty-seven cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of active cases in country to 412. All of the active cases are stable and doing well. The new cases now bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 886.

All of the cases are Saint Lucian nationals who range in age from 6 years to 85 years. They are from the Castries, Soufriere, Anse La Raye, Gros-Islet, Dennery and Babonneau districts. All of these individuals were seen at community-based respiratory clinics where they were assessed and tested for COVID-19. As per protocol, they were placed in quarantine by health care practitioners while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. Arrangements have since been made to place these individuals into isolation. The contact tracing team is undertaking investigations to identify the contacts of these confirmed cases.

The Ezra Long Laboratory is presently processing a back log of samples received in the past week. This has led to the increased turnaround time in generating results over the last week. The public is asked to bear patience a large number of results are being processed for dissemination to the public. We all who have been placed in quarantine and isolation to remain until informed of results by the team. The Ezra Long Laboratory is currently implementing measures to improve on this situation.

The Ministry of Health once again reminds every one of the importance of maintaining the recommended infection prevention and control measures to reduce the spread of the virus:

• Frequently wash hands your with flowing water and soap
• Wear a mask when in public places and ensure it covers the mouth, nose and chin
• Maintain a six foot distance from others wherever possible
• Use a bleach solution to sanitize frequently touched surfaces and frequently handled objects
• Avoid contact with other people who have flu-like symptoms

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is important to keep away from others and to urgently seek medical care at your closest community respiratory clinic for assessment.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing 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