TCI Health Ministry says COVID cases up, information slow in coming   

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writing 

#TurksandCaicos, February 1, 2024 – Symptomatic Covid-19 Cases are on the rise in the Turks and Caicos Islands prompting a warning from the Ministry of Health but it may be that delayed dissemination of information could put residents at risk.

According to the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the cases are concentrated in Grand Turk. Between the week of January 14 to 20th, there were eight new cases, six in Grand Turk and two in Providenciales. During the week of January 7th to 13th 10 new cases had been recorded, seven in Grand Turk and three in Providenciales.  Both updates were shared on January 29th along with a graphic indicating cases were rising and instructing residents on how to prevent infection.

Updates on the COVID-19 case count locally via the dashboard continue to be, one, two or three weeks behind. The COVID-19 dashboard, while billed as a weekly update, has been delayed for the past several months, providing residents with out-of-date information each time it is posted. Thankfully no hospitalisations have been recorded over the period.

Currently, there is no information for last week (January 21 to 27th).

When Magnetic Media carried reports of increasing COVID-19 cases in the United States in early January, the only available information on the TCI Ministry of Health website pertained to mid-December.

Now that those statistics are shared, it confirms the country was also going through an increase at that time. It is not unusual for COVID-19 cases to spike during the winter flu season along with influenza and other respiratory diseases including RSV.

Commenting on the uptick in COVID-19 cases Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services, said “We have the tools at our disposal to get tested for COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections. Every person has a role to play in practising proper hygiene at all times to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as well as other communicable diseases. There are actions which you can take to protect yourself and others.”

The JN.1 variant is currently spreading rapidly in the United States, the Turks and Caicos’ largest travel partner. Turks and Caicos residents are now being asked to take extra caution to avoid infection.

The MoHHS advises:

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues in a waste basket. If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow rather than your hands.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or the duration of singing the birthday song twice. If soap and water are not accessible, utilize an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs often spread when hands come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then touch the face.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is unwell.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are unwell.
• If you are sick or your child is sick, stay home and maintain a distance from others, particularly those in vulnerable groups, to prevent the transmission of illness.
• Get tested and seek treatment.
• Masks can be worn in settings where social distancing is not possible and in cases where persons are vulnerable.
• Prioritize ample rest, hydration, nutritious eating, stress management, and physical activity to support overall well-being.