Press Release:- Today Saturday January 23, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness received confirmation of forty new cases of COVID-19 from the Ezra Long Laboratory.
Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 8 cases of COVID-19.
This brings the total number of active cases in country to 373.
One of the active cases remains in critical care and the others are all stable.
The new cases now bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date is 810.
All of the forty cases are Saint Lucian nationals who range in age from 12 years to 85 years.
They are from the Anse La Raye, Micoud, Castries, Choiseul, Gros-Islet, Vieux-Fort,
Dennery and Babonneau districts.
All of these individuals were seen at community-based respiratory clinics where they were assessed and tested for COVID-19.
As per protocol, they were placed in quarantine by health practitioners while awaiting their COVID-19 test results.
Arrangements have since been made to place these individuals into isolation.
The contact tracing team is presently undertaking investigations to identify the contacts of these confirmed cases.
The Ministry of Health also reports confirmation of Saint Lucia’s eleventh COVID-19
related death.
The individual is a 44 year old male from the Castries district with underlying
medical conditions.
He was admitted into care on January 19, 2021 at the Victoria Hospital and passed away on January 22, 2021.
Condolences are extended to the family on the recent loss of their loved one.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is experiencing delays in issuing COVID-19 results within the usual turn-around time.
This is as a result of high demand for testing that is currently being required.
Measures are currently being put in place to remedy this issue.
In the interim, the Ministry of Health is requesting the patience of individuals awaiting COVID-19 test results and asks that all remain in quarantine until results are given.
Everyone is encouraged to continue maintaining the recommended infection prevention and
control guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus:
– Frequently wash hands your with flowing water and soap
– Wear a mask when in public places and ensure it covers the mouth, nose and chin
– Maintain a six foot distance from others wherever possible
– Use a bleach solution to sanitize frequently touched surfaces and frequently handled
objects
– Avoid contact with other people who have flu-like symptoms
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is important to keep away from others and to
urgently seek medical care at your closest community respiratory clinic for assessment.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates to the public as new
information becomes available.
