COVID-19 Patient #2 for TCI; imported case from US now in critical condition

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – March 26, 2020 — The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital wishes to advise the general public that a patient who was recently admitted and under clinical management and isolation at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre has tested positive for COVID-19.

The inpatient is a middle-aged male resident who recently returned from the United States and developed fever and respiratory symptoms. The inpatient was transported to the emergency department via private vehicle.

Based on the above factors, the male was classified as a suspected case upon admission and a sample was collected and tested. Strict infection prevention and containment procedures are constantly enforced at the medical centre and were followed as a precaution in this case.

The now confirmed COVID-19 male inpatient is currently in critical condition. He is receiving aggressive respiratory care and has other co-morbidities.This patient represents the second person in the Turks and Caicos Islands with confirmed COVID-19. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government – Ministry of Health Team commenced immediate contact tracing and persons identified in the process are required to undergo quarantine and/or screening as a risk mitigation measure. The patients’ relatives have been notified. TCI Hospital and the Ministry of Health continue to provide support and guidance to the relatives of the affected person given the diagnosis. 

Test results for the 89-year-old female resident who was admitted to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on March 18^th 2020 and classified as a suspected case based on travel history and presenting symptoms, have returned as negative for COVID-19. The elderly patient remains under hospital care and is in stable condition.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCIG & TCI HOSPITALS