For the first time in several months, the Turks & Caicos Islands has seen its COVID-19 positive cases surging past the 100 mark.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement last Friday that over the past 24 hours, 17 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, pushing the total to 105.
Fifteen of those cases were identified on Providenciales, while the remaining two were found on Grand Turk.
The Ministry of Health said there was no record of new recoveries, leaving the total number of recoveries at 2,620.
The number of hospitalizations remains at two, the health ministry said, adding that the public health team continues to implement aggressive contact tracing and control measures in relation to all active cases.
The ministry said the total number of confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI now stands 2,753. No deaths were recorded over the period under review. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths stands at 20.
Two hundred and one new PCR test results have been recorded by the National Public Health Laboratory. To-date, the TCI has recorded a total of 31,248 PCR test results, with 28,495 confirmed to be negative and 2,753 positive confirmations.
In addition, 687 new Antigen Tests have been recorded, bringing the total number of Antigen Test to 235,233.
All persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and any contacts, (if quarantined, will be removed from quarantine/observation status) are asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
Local testing is being conducted for persons in a range of categories, according to the national testing strategy. This includes frontline workers and those who may need to travel for treatment abroad. These persons would not be reflected in quarantine numbers.
The public is strongly urged to follow all health advice and guidelines from the ministry, especially as we progress with the phased reopening.
These are the following definitions:
• a suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as outlined by who and CARPHA - and is experiencing symptoms.
• a person in quarantine is an individual on island who may have come in proximity to suspected or confirmed cases - and have not exhibited symptoms.
Key risks can be reduced by:
1. washing our hands for 20secs or more.
2. wearing of masks required in public.
3. practicing social distancing.
4. prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
5. cover your coughs and sneezes (use your elbow or a tissue which should be properly disposed of).
6. keep frequently touched surfaces clean e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
7. protect those who are vulnerable in the community such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
8. do not discriminate against persons who have or are suspected of having covid-19.
For more information, visit the ministry of health website,
www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: covid19@gov.tc; or call our hotline numbers, (649)232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know has symptoms or signs of covid-19.
Comments