TCI News
New Confirmed COVID-19 Inpatient at TCI Hospital
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 10 April, 2020
Confirmed COVID-19 Inpatient at TCI Hospital: 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 male resident in his 30’s was admitted to the facility on April 3rd 2020 with severe acute respiratory infection and has no co-morbidities. He also had no recent travel history. The inpatient was transported to the emergency department via ambulance on the date of admission using established protocols.
The male met the case definition of COVID-19 and was classified as a suspected case. A sample was collected and tested. Strict infection prevention and containment procedures continue to be enforced across the medical centre and were followed as a precaution in this case.
The now confirmed COVID-19 male remains in stable condition and is receiving supportive clinical care.He has been notified and is the only confirmed COVID-19 patient currently under clinical management and isolation at the facility. TCI Hospital and the Ministry of Health continue to provide support and guidance to the relatives of the affected person given the diagnosis. Due to patient confidentiality, no further details can be released.
The positive test result will be reflected in the April 11th 2020 TCI COVID-19 National Dashboard. Pending the receipt of any other case test results over the next 24 hours, the number of suspected cases will decrease by one (1) and the number of confirmed/positive test results will increase by one (1) due to this specific case.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government – Ministry of Health Team commenced immediate contact tracing and persons identified in the process are required to undergo screening and quarantine as deemed necessary and as a risk mitigation measure.
Persons are reminded to contact the Ministry of Health hotlines if they are experiencing a cough, fever and/or shortness of breath via 649 333 0911 or 649 232 9444 for screening and guidance.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A champion swimmer, marathon runner, Ivy League graduate and world traveler with a huge smile– that is Alexandra Truwit; at only 22 years old, she has a whole life ahead of her, one that may have now been made exponentially harder by the loss of her foot in an incident which continues to be unconfirmed, but reported as a shark attack off the coast of Providenciales.
Magnetic Media learned Truwit, who is a very experienced swimmer, was on a private charter captained by an
employee of Big Blue Collective (not a Big Blue Charter). She was bitten by what eyewitnesses think could have been a Caribbean Reef Shark and her foot below the ankle was completely severed.
It’s a heartbreaking incident exacerbated by the young woman’s obvious love for- and proficiency in- the water.
The Yale website describes Truwit as a Two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Featured as a ‘Teen Titan’ in her high school, she was one of ten young people chosen for the school’s magazine.
Truwit, who has a twin brother, cites nail art and baking as her life joys. Already having survived ‘mono’ as a teen, she volunteers as a Special Olympics “hugger” and started a Special Olympics club at her high school.
She was airlifted from the Turks and Caicos on the day of her accident and there have been no updates on her condition so far. Residents in the TCI and the US have expressed via social media their best wishes for the young achiever and must now wait, hoping for the best possible outcome.
One resident said, “So sorry Alexandra you had to encounter such a traumatic experience while on vacation on our beautiful Island. I am praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for you, hopefully, the surgeon can work their magic for you.”
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – There are sweeping changes coming to the civil service this year after years of complaints about delays and understaffing.
“For the year 2023/24, the office of the Deputy Governor has a very ambitious public sector transformation centered around improving service delivery and the customer experience.” 
This came from Governors Appointed Member Willin Belliard, as he rose in the budget debates on Thursday May 18 to detail the revamp.
Phase one of E-procurement which will allow for the virtual submission of tenders is to be implemented. Along with that will come E-Jobs, a similar system touted to make job applications virtual, swift and easy.
Implementation of the Human Capital Procurement Program is also on the list of deliverables. Human capital is sorely lacking in the Turks and Caicos across the public and private sectors with hundreds of vacancies sitting open and resignations continuing to pile up.
Public servants will also find it easier to enroll into the all new Public Sector Pension Plan with the advent of a portal to remove the need for paper based applications.
The previously announced pay grading exercise is on the table to be completed and a Contract management unit has now been created to manage the delivery of projects that taxpayers are funding.
Residents of the Turks and Caicos have complained bitterly about the state of the civil service in the country for years. From police records to the treasury, the service is characterized by low staffing, frustrating wait time and long lines.
-
Caribbean News4 days agoTCI records first case of Cholera; Minister says Response Plan Ready
-
Caribbean News1 week agoDirector of Sports attends General Assembly American Sports Council – Cade 2023
-
Caribbean News7 days agoWal Registre’s Impressive Rise at BTC
-
Crime1 week agoSuspect Late for Court, $5 Bar Attempted Murder Trial pending
-
Caribbean News3 days agoWoman who lost foot is Alexandra Truwit, Yale Grad & All American Swimmer
-
Caribbean News1 week agoAquatics Center gets $3.7 Million allocation announces Sport Minister Rachel Taylor
-
Caribbean News1 week agoHospitals open probe into graphic photos of American tourist
-
Caribbean News4 days agoWilkie Arthur said ‘Yes!’