12 new COVID-19 cases in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands had gone through a long period without any new COVID-19 cases until this week. In the last 24 hours, 12 new positive coronavirus cases were confirmed. TCI Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson made the announcement in a National Update on June 27.

Eleven of the new cases are contacts of a case reported on June 25 and resulted from a gathering whereby the participants were likely exposed.

Premier Cartwright-Robinson says these latest instances further highlight the need to follow all protocols in place including those limiting large gatherings.

She said, “If we had dropped the discipline we had shown if we thought this battle was won and there was no need to follow the protocol, let this latest development be a reminder to us all that with this we are taking all measures to ensure there is no widespread community spread and that cases are contained.”

All the new cases and their contacts have been quarantined and additional individuals will be quarantined with continued public tracing activities. The Premier warns that with these activities TCI must be prepared to see additional new cases.

She has also ordered a comprehensive review of all protocols that are in place with a view of making further adjustments to ensure more efficiency.