Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, today gave an update on a COVID-19 cluster in the north of the island.
He was speaking during a press conference at the Grantley Adams International Airport, which dealt with this country’s COVID-19 situation and national clean-up efforts.
“We would have reported in the north of the country, a church cluster. That cluster is now at about 22 or 23 positives over the last couple of weeks or so, and we would have had about two more today…. The cluster comprises members of the church, as well as family members and close associates.
“But we’ve also discovered that apart from that particular grouping that this cluster has also impacted on about three other institutions. One, to the tune of about another 10 positives, and then one each at the other two institutions, and so there are some linkages there,” Lt. Col. Bostic stated.
The Health Minister reinforced the need to continue to cooperate in following the protocols to avoid such situations, especially with the ash fall from the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which has enveloped the island.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who supported Minister Bostic in his call for persons to continue following the protocols, said: “The fact that this incident has happened, where people remain stubborn and not want to cooperate, or inclined their hearts to wisdom, causes us to be in a position where other institutions have been put at risks today, in my view, unnecessarily so.”
Ms. Mottley urged the public to “continue to pull together” in the fight against the coronavirus, and noted that the vaccination programme had restarted, but had to be suspended because of the ash fall.
“When we are in a position to receive more we shall do so and continue that, because that continues to still be our primary battle, as we go forward,” she stated.
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the declining positivity rates, adding: “They can be better, but we’ve come a long, long way from where we were, and I truly hope that we will recognise that it is important for us not to drop our guard at all.”