11th April 2022

Covid-19 - Ministry of Health notes a 123% increase from last week

By Ministry Of Health

As of April 10th, 2022 Saint Lucia has diagnosed a total of 23,037 cases in country, with 54 active cases presently. The daily infection rate for the last 7 days is 5.3 per 100,000 population per day which represents a 123% increase from last week, with a 6% average testing positivity rate and a transmission rate of 0.95. We have noted a total of 366 COVID-19 deaths. We have 4 positive COVID-19 cases admitted at the Respiratory Hospital.

This past week as we continue to register cases daily, we note increases in our public health indicators. The Ministry of Health is monitoring the global and regional situation and ensuring surveillance measures remain in place. Globally, the COVID-19 cases are increasing with the steepest increase noted in the UK and some US states reporting significant increases. We also note the major outbreak in neighboring Martinique at this time. The sub lineages of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 are still transmitting intensely across the globe. The number of new deaths globally have remained stable. These increases are due to the total lifting of public health measures especially in countries with low vaccination coverage.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency hosted the meeting of Chief Medical Officers from April 6-7 th in Trinidad and Tobago. The main objectives included the provision of regional and national COVID-19 responses, discussion on the safe and sustainable strategies initiatives in the new COVID-19 era and to advise on optimal ways of working and responding to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. During this two-day meeting member states presented on the lessons learnt and best practices in the COVID-19 response. They also discussed common approaches to responding to COVID-19 moving forward.

The Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are available at the various wellness centres. These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting persons from developing COVID-19, its severe forms, complications, hospitalizations and death. The booster vaccine is also available for persons who have been fully vaccinated for over 6 months. Everyone who has not been vaccinated is urged to get vaccinated urgently.

We need to ensure that as we remove restrictive measures and open up, that our proven public health protective measures are in place especially to protect the most vulnerable.

We appeal to all organizations, public and private sector to ensure the maintenance of the public health protocols. Let us strive to sustain the low number of COVID-19 cases as we live, work, study and recreate safely with COVID-19.

For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively.

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