Government
TCI Ministry of Health speaks as WHO Downgrades COVID-19
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 10, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Ministry of Health is promising continued vigilance even with the World Health Organization’s official downgrading of COVID-19 from a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), to an established and ongoing health issue.
In a press release on Tuesday May 9th, the Ministry described the decision as a ‘significant milestone but revealed that certain health measures will continue.
“The Ministry of Health will continue to make available COVID-19 tests at its National Public Health Laboratory, as well as continue surveillance of COVID-19. The virus will remain in circulation and will likely continue to evolve and
The latest COVID-19 numbers in the Turks and Caicos for the week of April 23rd to April 29th, recorded six new cases of the disease in the country, a far cry from the spike in early 2022 which infected hundreds.
The WHO’s May 4 decision to do away with the emergency classification hinged on the decreasing trend in COVID-19 deaths, the decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions, and the high levels of population immunity. It ended three years and three months after it began on January 30th 2020.
The Turks and Caicos has been dealing with the Coronavirus for just over three years and one month, and has reported a total of 6,588 COVID-19 cases and 38 deaths locally, with additional deaths overseas.
The Ministry has committed to continue to ‘strengthen its health systems, continue active risk communications and community engagement, implement a One Health approach to preparedness and response, and integrate COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programmes.’