SKN Health Ministry evaluates risks of participating in "CARICOM Bubble"

St Kitts and Nevis: St. Kitts and Nevis has the purpose of participating in the CARICOM Bubble and consequently has been observing what is arising in the eight participating territories, says Chief Medical Officer Dr Hazel Laws, addressing at the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC)/Border Reopening Press Briefing on October 28.

The 8 territories combine Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Montserrat.

Dr Laws notified that Antigua and Barbuda, within the last 14 days, has reported 13 newly confirmed cases taking its total to 124. Barbados reported 25 new cases in the past 14 days drawing its total to 233. Saint Lucia also has reported 34 new cases in the prior 14 days taking its total to 73.

The Chief Medical Officer asserted that the Owen King Union Hospital in Saint Lucia is encountering some challenges. Three workers tested positive, and their outpatient services have been suspended for the next two weeks. Only emergency aids will be carried out.

The Ministry of Health in the Federation and the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) Committee is proceeding to observe the condition in the participating territories, said Dr Laws.

“We are really watching out for the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19,” she said. “In reality, we are in the manner of evaluating the risk of participating in the CARICOM Bubble.”