By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Phase, structured and/or staggered by the reporting methods of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and burdened with an irresponsible poverty-stricken government of falsehoods and maladministration, the results are continuous COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the country; meantime Martinique physicians and medical supplies to assist Saint Lucia with the management of COVID-19 cases.
Late Friday, February 19, 2021, the MOH confirmed 240 new cases of COVID-19, the total number of COVID-19 cases to date is 2860. Inclusive of three COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total number of deaths in the country to date to 28. The reported cases are from a batch of 663 tests that were conducted on samples that were taken over the period February 1 to February 16, 2021.
Visible in every press release is a boilerplate of non-workable measures to cube COVID-19 community spread and options to stop the importation of COVID-19 via pandemic tourism. Absent from the report is data, scientific analysis, and information on new COVID-19 variants. Despite ample evidence for external medical and scientific institutions and domestic experts more adapt to the #bestcmoever – the carnage continues.
The government narrative to blame nationals is irresponsible, reckless and futile. Misplaced priorities in this carnage of COVID-19 is the prime ministers’ synthetic ability to identify that he is “a product of Canada” albeit distant from that of an “expired product” of the same, that is perhaps suitable for organic compost on designated landfills. The reason for this is amplified by methodology, culture, science date and relation to the people of Saint Lucia.
According to the MOH, 79 individuals that were in care recovered for COVID-19, this brings to 395 the total number of active cases currently in the country. Two of the active cases are presently in critical care at the respiratory hospital.
COVID-19 related deaths
- Death #26 is a 52-year-old female from the Gros-Islet district with underlying medical illnesses;
- Death #27 is a 36-year-old female from the Castries district with underlying medical illnesses;
- Death #28 is an 81-year-old male from the Castries district with underlying medical illnesses.
Saturday update
The MOH and Wellness on Saturday, February 20, 2021, confirmed 218 new cases of COVID-19, from a batch of 585 tests that were conducted on samples taken over the period February 1 to February 17, 2021. The new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in the country to date to 3078.
“It is necessary to note that the large numbers of COVID-19 cases reported currently are as a result of the Ezra Long Laboratory continuing to manage the backlog of samples being tested,” the MOH said. “Today confirmation was also received of the recovery of 97 individuals who were in care. This brings to 513 the total number of active cases currently recorded in the country. Two of the active cases presently require critical care at the respiratory hospital.
The MOH also reports three COVID-19 related deaths. This brings the total number of deaths in the country to date to 31.
- Death #29 is a 53-year-old female from the Castries district with no known underlying medical illnesses.
- Death #30 is a 48-year-old male from the Babonneau district with underlying medical illnesses.
- Death #31 is a 50-year-old male from the Castries district with underlying medical illnesses.
Martinique to the rescue
In addition to medical and COVID-19 supplies and medical equipment from Taiwan, Mexico, 113 Cuban nurses/technicians and allies to the government of Saint Lucia, the Owen King European Union (OKEU) hospital recently received medical supplies and a team of medical practitioners from Martinique.
A statement from the MOH on Friday, said: “The initiative is expected to assist Saint Lucia’s efforts at treating patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.”
“From last week we received one of their physicians, Dr Hussein Medawis, who is the head of ICU in the University of Martinique. He came across last week to assist us with the management of COVID-19 cases. Today we have another physician who has always been working with us, Dr Dabor Resiere, and he has come across with a team and medical supplies so that we can help or care for our COVID-19 patient,” said the medical director of the OKEU and Victoria hospital, Dr Alisha Eugene-Ford.
The MOH also announced that over the coming weeks, medical practitioners from the OKEU will receive additional training on the management of COVID-19 from the Martinique medical team.
“The University Hospital of Martinique is pleased to be able to assist the people of Saint Lucia especially in their time of need; it is a continuing medical education that has been on-going for the past decades. I look forward during my week here to continuing medical education and training to professionals of Saint Lucia and welcome them to come to our University Hospital,” said, Dr Resiere.
