The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as
at 12am on 5th April, 2020:
REGRETABLY, THE TCI HAS TODAY RECORDED ITS FIRST COVID-19 DEATH. The individual was a middle-aged male with a pre-existing condition. Details of this were given in an earlier joint press release.
NEW TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, AND TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD
NO NEW POSITIVE CASES SINCE OUR UPDATE AS AT 4th APRIL, 2020.
On 1st April, 2020 the case definition for COVID-19 was amended for
TCI; a travel history is no longer needed to fit the criteria. Given the
closure of the TCI borders it is likely that new case would be as a result of
local transmission.
The number of suspected cases of COVID-19 in the TCI
has increased slightly to thirteen (13): The thirteen
suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local
transmission, contacts of a confirmed case, persons presenting with severe
acute respiratory infection (SARI), and persons experiencing relevant symptoms
but no travel history. Three suspected cases are now under hospital care and
one suspected case passed away on 3rd April, 2020.
All thirteen persons had
met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19, and those
currently in quarantine/observation are experiencing symptoms. Samples have
been collected and sent for testing, and we are currently awaiting results.
The increase in suspected
cases over the past 24hrs is as a result of an individual who is experiencing
relevant symptoms but has no recent travel history – contact tracing is underway.
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Persons under
quarantine/observation (140)—The confirmed cases (4), contacts of a confirmed
case (17), possible contacts of a confirmed case (10), the suspected cases (12),
symptomatic person/s under investigation (1), relatives/contacts of suspected
cases or persons under investigation (24), persons travelling from highly affected
countries (2), TCI residents (70). Persons under observation/quarantine are either
not displaying symptoms or have not meet the case definition for COVID-19.
The decrease in quarantine/observation numbers is
as a result of the expiration of the quarantine period for a considerable
number of individuals (mainly TCI residents who returned from overseas); and
new test results received confirming individuals (TCI Hospital staff) are
negative for COVID-19. All individuals and their contacts have been removed
from quarantine status.
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Recently-tested staff members of the TCI hospital have
consistently been included in COVID-19 statistics, suspected and quarantine
figures. All 21 healthcare workers were tested, those suspected and
quarantined, to ensure the safety of our valued healthcare workers and
patients.
TWENTY-ONE
NEW TEST RSULTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED – ALL RESULTS ARE NEGATIVE. To date,
a total of forty-eight (48) test results have been received, with forty-three (43)
confirmed negative and five (5) positive confirmations. Persons confirmed not
to have COVID-19, and their contacts, were moved from quarantined status and
asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
Those cases confirmed positive are in isolation with contact tracing aggressively
continuing.
The
Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to remind the public of offenses
committed under section 18 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020
in regard to false Statements/information. You do not have to be the originator of the statement/information in
order to be charged under the law.
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Please note the following definitions:
• A suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as
outlined by WHO and CARPHA – and is experiencing symptoms.
• A person in quarantine is an individual on island who has come
from infected country(ies) or may have come in proximity to suspected or
confirmed cases – and have not exhibited symptoms.
Let’s continue to reduce the risk by:
1. Washing our hands for 20secs or more
2. Practicing social distancing
3. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of
the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: COVID19@gov.tc; or call our
hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know
has symptoms or signs of COVID-19.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
#TurksandCaicos, March 29, 2023 – On April 1st, the second round of increases on contributions at the National Insurance Board will kick in for the Turks and Caicos workforce. Announced last year, the increases were instituted to keep the NIB from running out of money by 2027 as it services a population that is living longer with contributions that had not been increased in 30 years.
As the Government’s new financial year begins, increases at NIB will mean a higher cost for doing business and a higher cost for running the Government.
The private sector is expected to pay contributions at a rate of 11 percent on your taxable income. The hike is up from last year’s 10 per cent; six percent of which is to be paid by the Employer and five percent is to be paid by the Employee. For wages of $2000, this will mean a $200 improvement in income per month to the NIB. As for the burn on residents’ pockets, based on a minimum wage of $1200 monthly salary, that’s at least $60 dollars a month and $720 per year.
Public sector rates will move to 10.15 percent up from 9.15 per cent with the worker paying 4.575 per cent and the Government paying 5.575 per cent; that’s $54 a month and $648 a year at minimum wage.
The NIB rate as of April 1, 2023, will jump to 9 percent for self-employed individuals; For self-employed individuals at minimum wage, that is $108 dollars a month or $1296 per year.
As taxable incomes increase so will the contribution.
The increases follow a 2019 Actuarial review, undertaken every three years, which unearthed that the NIB was facing a dismal future, possible collapse. Contribution rates were growing at a rate much slower than NIB expenses, which included beneficiary payouts. On that trajectory, the NIB’s earnings would be eclipsed by its income by 2027, forcing the worker protection plan to draw down on money saved for economic shocks like Covid-19.
Unsurprisingly, this was deemed untenable, and an immediate increase was recommended.
Despite this scramble to boost earnings, the NIB has simultaneously increased payouts. Payouts for pensions, funeral grants, maternity grants and more will all attract bigger sums.
These incremental increases on contributions and payouts were all consultant recommendations, informed statements from the Board.
#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – Following the announcement that several women had been robbed and assaulted in Blue Hills in the past weeks, Magnetic Media queried why the Police would wait until they had a man in custody to release an alert.
TCI’s newest addition to the top brass Detective Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection, told us that it initially appeared to be an isolated offence and not part of a series of incidents.
“The full circumstances needed to be investigated to ascertain the facts before a public alert could be considered. Misinformation in such a case would only cause unnecessary public concern and confusion and could adversely impact the investigation and the safeguarding of persons involved—” he said. “Even now there is no definitive information that these offences are linked, and investigators remain open-minded.”
Holden claimed an early alert with limited information could have hindered the investigation and they were trying to protect the women who may not have wanted to be identified based on where they lived.
As it turns out, the public concern was very much warranted, because there have been more violent sexual attacks, and more victims got hurt, forcing their hands.
“When further similar offences were committed, the overriding principle of sustained public protection was considered, hence the alert/release issued,” he said.
That alert was coupled with the news that a man had been arrested. Whether those further similar incidents could have been prevented if the public was informed earlier and taken extra precautions, is the underlying question. To date, we don’t know how many victims there are.
Police have increased patrols in the Blue Hills area and condemned the crimes as unacceptable. They have not indicated if anyone was charged for the offences yet.
#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – After a festive three days of competition, the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 have concluded with the A. Louise Garland Thomas High School reigning as Champions. Featuring a great turnout, eleven schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands met to compete at the National Stadium March 9-11, 2023.
The competition was stiff among athletes, who were all competing for top spots and by extension a spot-on Team TCI’s CARIFTA 2023 team. From high-spirited invitationals to entertainment by DJ Shakes, spectators enjoyed the best Nationals competition yet.
Overall results:
1st Place: A. Louise Garland Thomas High School
2nd Place: Clement Howell High School
3rd Place: Marjorie Basden High School
Twenty athletes have been selected for Turks and Caicos Islands National CARIFTA Team, some who would have competed in the TCISS Inter-High Track & Field Championships 2023 and some living abroad.