Officials here have linked Saint Lucia’s 24 newest COVID-19 cases to holiday breaches.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, announced the new cases Monday.
However, she said officials anticipated the spike.
The CMO said it was because they noted many holiday breaches.
The Ezra Long Laboratory confirmed the 24 cases.
The laboratory did so from a batch of 278 tests.
As a result, this brings the total number of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in country to 462.
All 24 new cases are Saint Lucian nationals.
They range in age from 11 years to 47 years.
The new cases are from Castries, Gros-Islet, Anse La Raye, Dennery, Babonneau and Choiseul.
Health officials assessed and tested them at a community respiratory clinic.
Belmar-George explained that the officials put them in quarantine.
This while they awaited test results.
The CMO said links have been established for seventeen of the cases.
And officials are seeking the possible link for the other seven cases.
The CMO said the health officials have arranged to isolate patients.
“The Ministry of Health anticipated and prepared for managing these increases,” she said.
The CMO said the Ministry prepared during the month of January this year.
According to her, the Ministry of Education has been working with school principals to put the necessary measures in place.
Belmar-George said the goal is priority for the health and safety of all.
The CMO observed that schools reopened on Monday.
And she noted that people are anxious about the COVID-19 spike.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Health announced 43 new cases of the virus.
So Belmar-George expressed understanding for the concern felt by students, parents, teachers, administrative staff and the public.
But she said that access to updated information and the school specific protocols are key to managing without panic and anxiety.
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