The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment wishes to advise that as of Tuesday March 17, 2020, there were no new cases of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Ministry received the results from the CARPHA Public Health Lab for the latest batch of COVID -19 tests at 12:55 pm, all of which were negative. These tests included those conducted on the male passenger who arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on LIAT 771 which originated out of Guyana on Saturday March 14, 2020. Despite these results, the passenger will remain in quarantine until March 21, 2020, thus completing the required 14 days of quarantine.
Additionally, contacts associated with SVG’s single COVID -19 confirmed case, who arrived on flight 737 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on Saturday March 7, 2020, also tested negative.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment also wishes to advise that the test for COVID-19 conducted on a suspected case who arrived at the Accident and Emergency on Monday March 16, 2020 was negative.
MCMH ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES RESUME
Accident and Emergency services recommenced at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on the evening of March 17, after operating briefly from the Kingstown District Clinic. The Kingstown District Clinic will serve as a Flu Clinic and Triage Point commencing Wednesday March 18, 2020.
The routine Kingstown District Clinic services have been temporarily transferred to neighboring districts to facilitate the operations of the Kingstown Flu Clinic.
Visiting hours at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital also resumed today March 17, 2020 from 3pm – 5 pm.
MANDATORY QUARANTINE FOR COUNTRIES WITH COVID-19 SPREAD
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment wishes to advise that as more countries report community spread of COVID – 19, mandatory quarantine of travelers from these countries will be implemented.
It is based on this public health practice that a group of students, teachers and chaperones who recently returned from Guadeloupe are on mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Household members of these persons have been advised to voluntary quarantine themselves.
The public is reminded to practice proper hand and respiratory hygiene by:
Washing hands regularly with soap and water or use of an alcohol-based gel.
Covering mouth with the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing or use tissue then dispose of used tissue immediately.
Avoiding close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoiding sharing cups, plates or other personal items and disinfect all surfaces that are touched frequently.
If you have traveled to areas where COVID-19 is circulating or have been in contact with someone who has it and you experience fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
Do not self-medicate.