January 5, 2022

Press Release

SAINT LUCIA RECORDS 258 NEW CASES OF COVID-19
Today Wednesday January 5, 2022 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs received
confirmation of a total of 258 new cases of COVID-19. These samples were processed on Tuesday January 4, 2022 at the Ezra Long Laboratory and Laboratory Services and Consultations Limited from a total of 717 samples, which were collected from January 2, 2022 to January 5, 2022. This number of positive cases makes up 35.98% of all the samples processed on that date. These new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 14, 232. Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 41 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This brings the number of active cases in country to date to 629. Currently, there are 20 positive cases of COVID-19 admitted at the Respiratory Hospital, of which one of these active cases is in critical care and six of them are severely ill. To date, a total of 49, 630 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 6, 293 are partially vaccinated and 3, 522 have received their booster shot. Vaccination will take place tomorrow Thursday January 6, 2022 at the Vieux-Fort RC Parish Hall and the Monchy Wellness Centre from 9am to 4 pm. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue providing daily updates to the
public as new information becomes available.

For more information please contact the Of ice of the Chief Medical Of icer or the EpidemiologyUnit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively

December 28, 2021

Press Release

THE START OF THE 5TH WAVE OF COVID-19 IN SAINT LUCIA
As of December 26, 2021 Saint Lucia has diagnosed a total of 13,319 cases in country, with 204
active cases presently. The daily infection rate for the last 7 days is 11.6 per 100,000 population per day, with a 7% testing positivity rate and a transmission rate of 1.9. We have noted a total of 292 COVID-19 deaths. We have 18 positive cases admitted at the Respiratory Hospital, 2 cases are critically ill and 2 are severely ill.

We note increases in most of the public health indicators over the last 7 days, the transmission rate, test positivity rate, increased active cases and the epidemiological wave depicts the upward trajectory of the start of the 5th wave. We are at high risk of introduction of the Omicron variant which is characterized for the high level of transmission and we still have the Delta Variant in circulation locally. December is our highest risk month for COVID-19 transmission. We understand the COVID-19 fatigue experienced by the population at this time and the nature of the festive season. However, it is imperative at this point that we reduce the level of social activities and ensure compliance to all the public health measures. Health and safety must be our priority. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs also received notification from the Caribbean Public Health Agency of 20 new cases of the Delta Variant. 14 of the cases are nationals and 6 are visitors, the majority of the local cases are from Anse la Raye and Dennery. 13 of them are female, 7 male and the ages range from 3 months to 77 years. A total of 54 cases of the Alpha Variant and 71 cases of the Delta Variant have been diagnosed in country thus far.

We remind you of the following important measures:

– Avoid large crowds and crowded areas

– Ensure the protocols are maintained at work places, on minibuses and commercial and
tourism sector

– Use face mask when in public places

– Ensure you remain in quarantine or isolation if you were a direct contact of a case

If you develop respiratory symptoms, seek medical care and avoid contact with others. The Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are available at the various wellness centers and advertised sites. 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 6 months. Everyone who has not been vaccinated is urged to get vaccinated urgently. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates to the public as new information becomes available. For more information please contact the Of ice of the Chief Medical Of icer or the Epidemiology