TCI sees near double of COVID-19 cases in One Week

#TurksandCaicosIslands – August 13, 2020 — Cases of the novel coronavirus have nearly doubled in the Turks and Caicos in seven days and officials last week confirmed at least two work site outbreaks are largely responsible for the 86% leap in positives.

On August 5, the TCI stood at 129 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  On August 12, the country learned of 17 new positive diagnoses which bring the national total to 241.

The report from Ministry of Health explained: Eleven cases are contacts of known confirmed cases and six cases with no clear epidemiological link.

The Turks and Caicos government has rolled back on some measures already; nightly curfews are in effect for Providenciales, North Caicos and Parrot Cay and public gatherings are yet again down-sized.

Residents have been expressive about their apprehension and a litany of suggestions are flowing freely through social media posts and shows and via letters to the editor or opinion pieces.

The Ministry of Health has informed that in some interviews, individuals positive for the coronavirus are with-holding information in the contact tracing process and up to Friday, at least four children were among the new positive cases of COVID-19.  Two 17-year olds and two six-year olds.

The country learned that a baby, in the Turks and Caicos has also tested positive for the virus.

A week ago, active cases were 87.  Today there are 192 active cases.

A week ago, quarantines were 210.  Today, that number has more than doubled at 464.

Nine people remain in a non-medical quarantine facility.

Forty-seven tests were completed in the latest report; 17 of which were positive.

A week ago, the country had charted 1,252 tests; today testing has eclipsed 1,500.

The report states:  “To date, the TCI has recorded a total of one thousand five hundred and sixty-seven test results,(1567) with one thousand three hundred and twenty-six (1326) confirmed to be negative…”

Heartening is information there are no new deaths, that only two hospitalisations have been necessary and the fact that recoveries a week ago were at 39; today, 46 individuals have been cleared as free of COVID-19.

Hospitalisations are up, however; a week ago one person was in hospital as a result of COVID-19.

A ‘Covid-Free’ diagnosis is given after a patient returns two negatives for the virus, said Dr. Nadia Astwood, TCI’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO).