COVID-19 in Caribbean: 26 new cases indetified in St Lucia

The health ministry of St Lucia has confirmed that 26 new coronavirus cases have been identified in the Caribbean island during the Christmas weekend.

The ministry noted that during Christmas weekend between December 24 and December 27, 2020, a total of 314 COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Ezra Long Laboratory and 26 tested positive and twenty-six people tested positive bringing the total number of cases diagnosed in the country to 331.

Thirteen cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Friday 25 December 2020 which includes four non-nationals between the age group of mere 5 months to 52 years.

Besides this, nine positive patients are St Lucian citizens from Vieux- Fort, Castries, Dennery, Micoud and Choiseul districts, aged 21 to 61 years.

Health Ministry continued that confirmation of additional thirteen COVID-19 cases was received on Monday which includes eleven non-citizens aged between 5 and 46 years. The other two cases were citizens of Babono district, aged 38 to 41 years.

Eight of the twenty-six cases were contacts of previous cases, and their results were kept under pending trial and quarantine. Currently, arrangements are made for isolation in all these newly diagnosed cases. At this point, critical care is not required in any case.

The Ministry of Health currently has affirmed a total of 274 recoveries with 57 active cases in the country.

The health ministry reminded the public of the importance of the practice of infection prevention and control measures to reduce COVID-19 infection. Following are the measures people are advised to follow:

- Wash your hands frequently during the day using soap and running water

- Wear a mask in public places and make sure that it covers the mouth, chin and nose

- Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others

- Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms

- If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay away from others and seek medical care at the nearest community respiratory clinic

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.