Today, Friday October 23, 2020 the Ministry of Health received confirmation of six cases of COVID-19 bringing the national total to 48 cases. The six newly-diagnosed cases were identified through contact tracing processes and were in quarantine pending their results. They are all now in isolation for care.

The Ministry of Health encourages members of the public who have respiratory signs and symptoms to immediately visit their closest Community Respiratory Clinic for care. Additionally, if any members of the public are aware that they had contact with the cases diagnosed this week, that is cases thirty-seven to forty-eight, they are encouraged to also present themselves at Community Respiratory Clinics for testing.

Effective this weekend and until further notice, the Ministry of Health has extended the hours of operation at Community Respiratory Clinics.

The public is asked to note that services will now be available on Saturdays at the Vieux-Fort Respiratory Clinic, Gros-Islet Polyclinic and the Dennery Hospital from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is reminded that the Soufriere Hospital continues to offer a twenty-four hour service daily which includes weekend.

Today, Friday October 23, 2020 the public health team of the Ministry of Health is undertaking a contact tracing, testing and health education intervention in Saltibus as part of the response to case 39. This activity is being held at Lambert’s Bar and commenced at 9 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m. today.

Tomorrow, Saturday October 24, 2020 a similar intervention will be held in Aux Lyon, Dennery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Paradise Inn. This intervention is also part of the response to the diagnosis of case 39 and other cases recently diagnosed in this community. The public and more specifically the communities of concern are asked to support the Ministry of Health in the undertaking of these activities.