By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – In a statement attributed to the ministry of health, wellness and elderly affairs, published by the govt.lc, says, it “continues to manage the fourth wave in the country. From July 25, 2021, to the present we note 7,044 cases at an average of 72 cases per day. In the management of the fourth wave, we have also carried out over 30,000 tests; 50 percent of the diagnosed cases are in the age group 25-49 years and 57 percent of the cases are female. At present we have 346 active cases in the country. The majority of the cases are from Castries, Gros-Islet, Vieux-Fort and Baboneau.”
Last month, Saint Lucia health officials claimed the fourth wave of COVID-19 ebbs: “ The fourth wave of COVID-19 in Saint Lucia has peaked and is on the decline. On October 11, the ministry of health, wellness, and elderly affairs reported a reduction in transmission, hospitalization, positivity, and prevalence rates. Dr Belmar-George forecasts average resolution of the fourth wave by November 2021, barring any major increases in risks for new transmission,” the GIS report stated.
Monday, November 1, 2021, COVID-19 Update: Working to prevent further COVID-19 spikes stated: “We continue to manage a COVID-19 outbreak at the Bordelais Correctional Facility. There are presently 22 COVID-19 patients admitted to the respiratory hospital; one in critical condition and four are severely ill.”
Infection rate
“The daily infection rate for the past week was 11.8 per 100,000 per day which is a 30 percent decrease from the previous week. We note a steady decline in the rate of transmission at this point with a present rate of 1.1. During that period we note 165 COVID-19 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 2.3 percent. Males account for 57 percent of the deaths.”
In a separate release, the minister of health stated: “To date, the total number of COVID-19 deaths in-country is 196 and the total number of COVID-19 related deaths is 62.”
Meanwhile, Monday, November 1, 2021, the ministry of health, received notification of nine new cases of the Delta variant, advised: “All of the cases are nationals, from the southwestern zone of the island. Six of them are female, three male and the ages range from 38 to 79 years. A total of 54 cases of the Alpha variant and 31 cases of the Delta variant have been diagnosed in the country thus far.” However, said the ministry of health: “We continue to note the reduction in the transmission rate, hospitalization rates, positivity rates, and prevalence rates.”
Ministry of health recommendations
“This week, we continue to facilitate increased social activities for fully vaccinated persons:
- We recommend a gradual transition into the high-risk services to ensure it is implemented in a sustainable way.
- We are working to prevent further spikes during the festive season.
- We continue to ask the public to work with us and exhibit responsible behaviour to ensure our recorded COVID-19 numbers remain low.
- We are also working to ensure the sustainable school re-opening for all of our children.
- Let us all take personal responsibility to keep ourselves and families safe. Our behaviour as adults directly affects the education of our children at this point.”
Vaccines
To date, a total of 41,893 Saint Lucians have been fully vaccinated. Another 9,393 are partially vaccinated and 228 have received their booster shot, reports the ministry of health.
“At present we have available both the Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccine free of charge in country at the various wellness centers. 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 Pfizer vaccine is also available for persons who have had both doses of the Astra Zeneca for over 3-6 months. Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children from 12 years and older, let us make the educational environment safer,” further advised the public to “remain vigilant and adhere to the protocols that are put in place to keep us safe.”
