TCI News
Patient with Suspected COVID-19 Admitted to TCI Hospital
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday 19 March, 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital wishes to announce further changes to its operations in response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide information on a suspected COVID-19 inpatient case.
We wish to confirm the admission of a patient to the general ward of Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on the evening of 18th March 2020, who is now classified as a suspected case of COVID-19. The patient is being cared for in a designated isolation and negative pressure room with the relevant infection prevention and control measures.
The 89-year-old female is a Turks and Caicos Islander who departed the country to Jamaica in mid-February 2020 to receive overseas care and returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands on 2nd March 2020. She had no further travel history.
The patient has multiple co-morbidities and was transported to the department by emergency medical services with breathing difficulties on 18th March 2020. She developed symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath four days prior to hospital admission with no fever. The patient is currently on oxygen therapy and does not require ventilation at this time. She has no known contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. TCI Hospital is unable to comment further on the details of the patient’s care due to patient confidentiality.
The Minister of Health wishes to advise that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Ministry of Health, Public Health Team is actively tracing all contacts of this individual in order to provide them with the relevant guidance and action that may be required. A sample has been collected and sent for testing. The Ministry of Health along with the TCI Hospital are following the necessary established protocols as it relates to COVID-19. All key personnel from the Ministry of Health are engaged with the TCI Hospital on this matter and the Ministry of Health remains committed by way of advising the general public of any new developments on this case in a timely manner.
TCI Hospital will continue to provide updates to the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services through the Director of Health Services and Public Health Team. Hospital measures have been escalated after a continuous and comprehensive risk assessment and taking into consideration the safety of our patients, hospital staff and the wider community.
Complete visitor restriction from the inpatient wards was immediately initiated and remains in effect until further notice. Persons who need to items delivered to inpatients are required to present the items to the main reception desk and the hospital’s security team will deliver the items to the ward. Please ensure that items are properly labeled and no valuables such as money or jewelry are enclosed.
Members of the general public are asked to refrain from visiting the hospital except for an emergency complaint that requires access to the emergency department. Information related to the reduction of non-essential services at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre will be issued in a subsequent press release.
PRESS RELEASE from TCI Hospitals & Ministry of Health
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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