St Kitts and Nevis records first COVID-19 related death on Thursday

Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts and Nevis recorded the first coronavirus related death on Thursday as the community spread of the virus gets uncontrollable across the twin-island nation. The announcement was given by the Minister of Health and Wellness Akilah Byron Nisbitt in a joint press conference on Wednesday. She said that the death would be a wake-up call for all those taking the virus-lightly."At around 12:14 pm, we received the call of the first coronavirus related death in the Federation; we send condolences to the grieving family," stated the Minister of Health St Kitts and Nevis. From March 2020 to June 17, 2021, the Federation recorded 279 coronavirus cases, with 208 still active and only 70 fully recovered. Authorities stated that the active COVID-19 patients are monitored, and only five are hospitalized.The health minister stated that St Kitts and Nevis is not immune to the disease; she said the neighbours in the United States of America also recorded over 600,000 coronavirus related deaths. St Kitts and Nevis is currently under the State of Emergency till July 6 2021. There were no active cases in the country until more than four members of the same family tested positive for COVID-19 in May. Soon after, the virus spread got uncontrollable, and authorities declared "community spread". The government have also imposed a curfew, and all gatherings are restricted island-wide. Curfew hours are currently from 6 pm to 5 am for fourteen till June 26 in the first place.Prime Minister Harris declared that this measure would divide the transmission cycle of the virus, which would decrease the number of cases and give health workers and contact investigators time to get forward and control its extent.The government have declared the closure of all businesses and offices that can continue their virtual operations. All gaming establishments will be closed; there will be no mass events; beaches should only be utilized during this period for exercise; in the first place, there will be no street sales for the next 14 days.