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TCI Governor on the Science of COVID-19; Statement made April 1

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – FULL STATEMENT :

Good evening Turks and Caicos, it’s the Governor speaking, speaking on behalf of both myself and also the Premier. The Premier will talk on Friday about the support and stimulus package.

From me a Wednesday evening update for you. This is our fifth day of lockdown and curfew.  So far so good – and the first thing to say is thank you. We are collectively doing the right thing.  It’s causing, we know, inconvenience and in some cases serious hardship.  Most people I speak to understand instinctively why we are doing this but we thought we would use tonight to try and describe the underpinning facts of why we are doing what we are doing.

The Science:

If you can bear it, a quick science lesson – because it’s the science that is guiding us on this. You’ll have heard lots of people describe ‘flattening the curve’.  As far as I can, I want to describe to you what that means and why what we are doing does this.

All virus’s spread at different rates.  There is a scientific scale of measuring infection – this isn’t random – so, for example, measles is ‘nine’ which means that we would expect one measles case to infect nine others.  For Influenza the infection rate is 1.3.  If the rate is ‘one’ then one person infects one other person.  A figure less than ‘one’ means the disease is in decline and may die out.   

COVID19 is thought to be around 2.2. Much less infectious than measles but considerably more infectious than influenza. What this means is that, on average, one infected person passes it on to 2.2 other people. As with all statistics that quote averages this means that there may be many people that only pass it on to one, and one person that passes it on to many, but as I say the global average is 2.2

You see this in the way COVID19 spreads. One person infects two, two people infect four, those four infect eight (in fact because it’s an infection rate of 2.2 it’s now starting to become more than simply doubling) so let’s say that eight cases becomes 17 and then 17 becomes 37. You get the picture, we now have a very dramatic rise as we saw in Italy and in cities such as New York.  It’s out of the cage and it’s spreading and multiplying at a factor of 2.2. Not good.

The number one purpose of everything you are doing is to change the maths on this spread. What we need to do is bring this down from 2.2 to certainly under 1.5, in truth we want to get it to under one.  But Below 1.5 we can start to impose ourselves on this virus and bring it under control. We have to do that because our medical services can manage a much flattened curve but they couldn’t possibly manage the sort of increase I described as it grew at 2.2

The good news is that all the medical opinion we can draw on – here in the Island, public and private, and that expertise we can draw on elsewhere, including some very eminent epidemiologists in the UK, tell us that TCI is doing all the right things to achieve this. We got ahead of it and we clamped down on it, and if we can hold the line we are going to not only get through but present an example to the world about how to do this.

Separate to this there is a secondary benefit. The better the lockdown we achieve, the more chance there will be that we generate in the population a slow-burn immunity that builds over time. These will be people who have in some way been exposed to the virus but have either had no symptoms or very mild symptoms. 

It’s reasonable I think for us to assume, given how large our tourist sector was, that the virus must have been on the Islands before it was first properly identified. Some immunity will have been starting to develop.  

With testing – coming in from the UK and also being procured from the US – there’s sophisticated modelling that can explain this and as we reach a tipping point we will know that. While there will continue to be cases in TCI, there will be sufficient immunity in the population to prevent its rapid spread here. We will be seeking data to make smart decisions around this.

With the Territory having developed its own immunity – with the borders still closed – we can start to restart the local economy and get money moving through and round it. Businesses will be able to open. Fear of each other will subside.

Indeed, these Islands are small enough, the measures we have all taken together restrictive enough, and the data we may be able to collect around immunity important enough, that it may well be that TCI becomes an example of how to do this – that does our brand – as an extraordinary place and a healthy place to visit – no end of good.

It also allows us to start to see a medium term future where a tourist visiting TCI who we know is safe can come to an extraordinary destination that they know is not only beautiful, but is safe. But let’s be honest with each other that’s some way off in the future although something we are working towards.

Adjustment to the Regulations

Laws can help moderate and guide behaviour but it’s by far best when a people know why they are doing something than be told to do something. Self-denial, self-discipline and good judgement are so much more powerful than say the threat of vehicle confiscation. Please, err on the side of caution. Because you can do something doesn’t mean you necessarily should do something. 

We said we’d keep everything we were doing under review and we have been. Broadly we think we are in the right place.  Matters that have now become clearly the way to do things – which haven’t caused enormous inconvenience but have severely cut down traffic and movement – we yesterday captured in law; so, for example, you may not drive to your place of exercise.

We have removed takeaways, drive-throughs and restaurants from being described as an essential service. From the last few days it’s clear they aren’t – we can get by until the end of this period without them, wonderful as they are.

We do it based on medical and Policing advice.  With TCI Islanders and Residents being the sociable society we are, some risk becoming the equivalent of the local bar, the spot some meet and engage, and it also gives a license for movement we could not reasonably police.

This covers every form of takeaway, no exceptions.  There is the possibility of the Governor granting exceptions but I think that will be unlikely over this period of lockdown unless it’s in direct support of an effort to alleviate hunger.

It’s also now clear in the law that you have to be on a route from your home to your allowed destination (a supermarket is the best example). Much of this ‘law’ wasn’t required because people were demonstrating great common sense but it is a tidying up exercise for those who might take advantage, a week or so in.  Beyond that we’ve kept matters very much as they are. It’s working.

We had an interesting piece of false news start to generate today. It wasn’t malicious just wrong and it originated from a South African website – that isn’t a recognised authority on medical statistics. 

To be clear, we still have only 5 (five) confirmed cases in TCI.  The authoritative way to know – what our health professionals on the front line know – is the TCI dashboard that we disseminate daily and is on the MOH website. Please stick to TCI sources, we hold the data because we collect the data. We want the public to know.

This wasn’t malicious or dangerous it was just wrong. There have though been several instances on social media recently that haven’t just been wrong they’ve been dangerous. Before focussing on the tiny number who are malicious amongst us, let me say somethuing about the vast majority.

This is not the time to stifle decent debate – indeed the future of these Islands are starting to be decided during this time in terms of whether we remain safe, recover, and can once again prosper. 

But what this short period is not, is an opportunity for us to stigmatise anyone who has COVID19. For all you know you may be one of the fortunate that had it, suffered few if any symptoms, but passed it on to others. Or – if we all lose control of this through our casualness – it’s very probably true that it will be someone very close to you, who you love, that ends up with this virus. It doesn’t discriminate.

If you see someone originating or spreading hate or misinformation, designed to cause fear, then there is now a Police Unit – well skilled in following leads across the internet – that you can report to. Their email is: pofscovid19@tcipolice.tc. That’s pofscovid19@tcipolice.tc

Stopping the Sloops

I’ll finish on one point I flagged yesterday on Social Media. A large sloop of many hundreds was turned around yesterday on the High Seas between here and Haiti. I was on a call today with the US Ambassador and US Coast Guard in Bahamas; the number of combined assets we have operating presently in this space has significantly increased.  That frustrating battle continues every night – we should be more proud of those involved in this work tonight, than ever. But for those who can connect to Haiti do send them the message. You have our continued attention and you will be stopped.

As of tonight we are okay. We are in a much better position than many others. In terms of health, we can see a route through this, not through hope but through understanding the science, determined to capitalise by doing this once and doing this right. That’s what you are doing TCI; you are a resilient lot and resilience is the order of the day for the next few weeks. The reward is there if we stay firm; as firm we must.

Day five is drawing to a close and day six is soon to begin – soon we will be announcing the end of the first week. We can do this.

Good night TCI

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TCI News

Unidentified Deceased Male Discovered in Grace Bay Area

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Turks and Caicos, July 5, 2025 – Around 7AM on today’s date 5th July 2025 officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) assisted by members of the public carried out a search in the community of Providenciales focusing on targeted areas.

Approximately 9:06 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, while conducting the search operation in the Grace Bay area, one of the teams discovered the body of a deceased male in a decomposed state.

The discovery was made along Long Bay Road. The scene has been secured, and all appropriate partner agencies have been notified.

At present, the identity of the deceased has not been established. The RTCIPF will provide further updates as soon as the identification process is complete and the next of kin are informed.

Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Rodney Adams on commenting on the discovery of the body. We the police extend condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and ask that the public not speculate and await positive identification of the deceased.”

This matter remains under active investigation.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to anyone who may have information to contact 911 or the nearest Police Station. Information may also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS)

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Ministry of Health and Human Services Participates in UKOTs Public Health Conference 2025

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PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Ministry of Health and Human Services was represented at the 2025 UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Public Health Conference held under the theme “Collaborative Approaches to Risk Communication” at the Park Plaza Victoria in London, from June 23–27, 2025.

Attending on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands were Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer, and Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director of Health Policy and Planning.

Hosted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under its Civil Resilience Programme, the conference convened Chief Medical Officers and senior technical officers from several UK Overseas Territories including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands – as well as from the Crown Dependencies, St. Helena, Ascension and Gibraltar.

The week-long event featured a range of expert-led sessions and workshops, focusing on strengthening risk communication and public health resilience across the UKOTs. Key agenda items included:

  • Introduction to Behavioural Science-Informed Risk and Crisis Communication
  • Good Practice for Effective Crisis Communication
  • Crisis Alert! A Scenario-Based Exercise
  • Identifying Key Health Threats and RCCE (Risk Communication and Community Engagement) Needs – Workshops Parts 1 & 2
  • Civil Food Resilience in the UKOTs
  • Risk Communication and EPRR (Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response) Frameworks
  • Practical Approaches to Risk and Crisis Communication
  • Communicating Risks in Violence Prevention: Public Health Approaches
  • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support During Crisis
  • Responding to Emerging Infections
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: Assessing the Global Threat
  • Cervical Cancer Elimination and RCCE
  • Tackling Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Vaccine Hesitancy
  • Enhancing Comprehensive Prevention and Management of Diabetes – Interactive Session

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England. In his address, he emphasized both progress and persistent challenges in global public health.

Commenting on the importance of the conference, Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands, stated, “This gathering provided a critical opportunity to strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Overseas Territories, particularly around preparedness and response to public health threats. Strengthening health security remains a top priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services, echoed this sentiment, noting, “We are grateful for the continued support from the UK Government through the FCDO and UKHSA. This platform ensures that the Turks and Caicos Islands are part of a coordinated approach to building resilience and safeguarding public health.”

The Ministry’s participation in this conference forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance the national capacity for emergency preparedness, community engagement, and evidence-informed public health communication.

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News

Search for Missing American Tourist Intensifies in Turks and Caicos

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U.S. Officials, Family Join Local Efforts as Disappearance Enters Ninth Day

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor and Wilkie Arthur | Eagle Legal News

 

Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – The United States Department of State has confirmed it is aware of the disappearance of American citizen Brian Tarrence in Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Embassy in Nassau is actively assisting in the ongoing investigation. Tarrence’s mother is now on the island, anxiously hoping for good news as the search for her son enters its ninth day.

Tarrence, 51, of New York, vanished on June 25 while vacationing with his wife in Providenciales. The couple was staying at the Inn at Grace Bay in a privately rented villa booked via Airbnb. CCTV footage reviewed by Eagle Legal News shows Tarrence walking away from the property around 3:00 a.m., alone and without signs of immediate distress. He has not been seen since.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is treating the case as high priority, and a search operation is underway in Grace Bay, with efforts expanding to The Bight and nearby districts. U.S. private investigator Carl DeFazio, hired by Tarrence’s family, is also on the ground and working alongside local authorities.

“We are tracking any activity—credit cards, digital devices—that could point us toward his location,” said DeFazio. “This is a coordinated effort, and we are committed to bringing Brian home.”

Sources close to the investigation say Tarrence may have been in a vulnerable state prior to his disappearance. His wife reported that he had relapsed into alcohol use and was displaying increasingly erratic behavior, including signs of paranoia and delusional speech. He reportedly believed people were outside their villa and made concerning remarks hours before he disappeared.

When his wife woke that morning, Tarrence—and his phone and wallet—were gone. The devices remain unreachable, and no transactions or confirmed sightings have been reported.

His wife continues to cooperate fully with police, while his mother, who recently arrived in TCI, has joined local and diplomatic efforts in hopes of a safe resolution.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477.

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