FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #72
BEGINS
The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 21st May, 2020:
THE TURKS AND CAICOS HAS SEEN A SLIGHT CHANGE IN ITS COVID-19 POSITION SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE.
NO NEW POSITIVE CASES HAVE BEEN RECORDED. CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES CONTINUE TO REMAIN AT TWELVE (12); WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES FROM COVID-19 AT TEN (10), AND THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD ONE COVID-19 DEATH.
NO NEW SUSPECTED CASES HAVE BEEN RECORDED. SUSPECTED CASES REMAIN AT FOUR (4). THESE ARE TCI RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING RELEVANT SYMPTOMS WITHOUT A HISTORY OF CONTACT WITH CONFIRMED CASES. ONE SUSPECTED CASE PASSED AWAY AND ONE SUSPECTED CASE IS CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED. All suspected cases have met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19. Samples have been collected and sent for testing.
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION HAS INCREASED TO 68. This includes: suspected cases (3), contacts of suspected cases (23), symptomatic persons not meeting the case definition and their contacts (9), and travellers (33) – Sixteen (16) of the travellers are currently being quarantined at a non-medical facility, and are not sick. Persons under observation/quarantine, that are not confirmed or suspected cases, are either not displaying symptoms or have not met the case definition.
THE INCREASE IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION NUMBERS IS AS A RESULT OF A TRAVELLER INTO THE TCI. TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 614 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status.
NO NEW POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE. To date, the TCI has received a total of one hundred and twenty-one (121) test results, with one hundred and nine (109) confirmed to be negative and twelve (12) positive confirmations. Persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and their contacts, were moved from quarantined status and asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to remind the public TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY. PERSONS ARE ALSO REMINDED of offenses committed under section 27 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (nO.4) Regulations 2020 in regard to false Statements/information. You do not have to be the originator of the statement/information in order to be charged under the law.
Please note the following definitions:
- A suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as outlined by WHO and CARPHA – and is experiencing symptoms.
- A person in quarantine is an individual on island who may have come in proximity to suspected or confirmed cases – and have not exhibited symptoms.
Let’s continue to reduce the risk by:
1. Washing our hands for 20secs or more
2. Practicing social distancing
3. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: COVID19@gov.tc; or call our hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know has symptoms or signs of COVID-19.
ENDS