Dengue and COVID-19 outbreak in St Lucia likely to impact tourism

The rapidly growing dengue cases in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is raising concerns. The small island nation had earlier declared the dengue outbreak in the country as the cases continue to grow. Total confirmed dengue cases are more than 800, while 26% of patients required to be hospitalised.

There have been three recorded dengue-related deaths in the country while one death is being investigated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

As per the official statistics, the typical age group of these dengue patients is mainly 21 years; however, there are also some patients ageing between as less as three weeks and even 94 years olds.

While the island is also suffering from coronavirus pandemic and health experts fears, there is already a community transmission in the country. Both coronavirus and dengue outbreak is resulting in critical problems for the people as the country is already undergoing a massive economic crisis.

The government of Saint Lucia have already announced new measures to control the coronavirus, restricting mass gathering, prohibiting the consumption of alcohol at bars and restaurants and also announcing to close down all eateries by 9 pm.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have decided to assist the country in the most affected areas that include Castries, Gros Islet, Babonneau Proper and Anse-la-Raye. The society recently stated that it has 100 volunteers in Saint Lucia who are going to assist people in the time of these health crises.

The government's lack of efforts and incapability to control the enormous health crisis is losing the trust of the people in the country.

The dengue outbreak is also likely to affect the tourism sector, which is the bread earner of this Caribbean island. Saint Lucia had been open to tourism since 2020 and received over 20,000 travellers from the United Kingdom. Air Canada has also resumed direct flights from Toronto to Saint Lucia.

But, the fear of dengue virus would reduce the tourism as the country already experiences an economic downfall which Prime Minister Allen Chastanet refers to as "Saint Lucia is Broke".