Government to announce stricter measures as COVID cases rise
Published:Wednesday | August 11, 2021 | 12:10 AM
CASTRIES, St Lucia:
THE ST Lucia government is poised to announce new measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-29) after health authorities warned about the increasing number of new cases and deaths associated with the pandemic.
“Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Office of the Prime Minister will soon be announcing the changes to the present protocols which will come into effect from August 13, 2021 to August 31, 2021,” according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
On Monday, the ministry announced that the island had recorded 76 new cases of the virus and two deaths.
On Sunday, it had recorded 58 new COVID-19 cases while last Saturday, St Lucia recorded 66 new infections.
“The Ministry of Health notes that at present the number of active COVID-19 cases in St Lucia is very high and concerning. We continue to advise everyone to continue adhering to the protocols and adopt behaviours which will help to reduce the spread of the virus,” the Ministry of Health and Wellness statement said.
“It is important that persons with respiratory signs and symptoms avoid crowds and contact with others,” it added.
According to the health authorities, to date, the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the country is 65 and that the number of active cases is 5,813.
As of August 7, a total of 32, 810 individuals have received the first dose of the vaccine and 25, 543 individuals have received the second dose of the vaccine.