17 people test COVID-19 positive in Saint Lucia within a week

Saint Lucia: Health Ministry of Saint Lucia has confirmed two more coronavirus patients in the country, which brings the total number of cases to 54.

Newly confirmed patients were discovered during the contact tracing of other patients and were already in quarantine when tested positive for the virus.

As per the authorities, case number 53 is linked to case number 43 while the identified as case 54 is connected to case 50 who was further a contact traced for another positive patient currently undergoing treatment in the facilities.

Health Ministry declared that currently over twenty-seven people are isolated in care.

Newly confirmed cases include a 34-year-old female from the Castries district while another person is a 25-year-old male from the Gros-Islet district.

Coronavirus cases in Saint Lucia are increasing rapidly as the authorities fear community transmission in the country. Within the past one week from October 18 to October 24, over seventeen have tested positive for this contagious viral infection.

Ministry of health has also increased its demand for testing kits, PPE Kits and other necessary items required.

Health Ministry was quoted saying, "We remain to answer wholly and immediately; if we all do not make a constant endeavour to follow the recommended virus restriction and control guidelines, these stresses on health care support shall only maintain and will even increase with time."

Officials urged people to practice social-distancing and maintain personal hygiene, including sanitising hands, wearing a face mask and avoiding going to larger gatherings.

Health Ministry appealed that public to visit the closest community respiratory clinic in case of any respiratory symptoms including fever, cough and sore throat.

Saint Lucia is in a much worse condition in its region when it comes to coronavirus, neighbouring nations like Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis have controlled the contamination of the virus and is operating with strict health and hygiene guidelines to protect their citizens.