Health
HEALTH ADVISORY: PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST RESPIRATORY AND GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 10 January 2025: The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public health advisory to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections during this season, both locally and internationally. Seasonal increases in these infections are anticipated. The Ministry encourages the public to adopt preventative measures to protect themselves and others, particularly vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), are primarily transmitted through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation with Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus increasingly detected in some regions. While it often causes mild symptoms, it can lead to severe respiratory illness in children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
To date, no cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) have been detected in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Ministry remains vigilant and continues to monitor the situation.
To minimise the risk of respiratory infections, the public is advised to:
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap is unavailable.
- Avoid Close Contact with Sick Individuals: Maintain distance from people who are unwell to minimize exposure to respiratory droplets.
- Disinfect Frequently-Touched Surfaces: Regularly clean surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, and mobile devices with disinfectant.
- Wear Masks: Use a mask in crowded or enclosed spaces, especially if experiencing respiratory symptoms.
- Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands immediately.
- Stay Home if Sick: Avoid public spaces to reduce the risk of spreading infections to others.
- Get Vaccinated: Ensure vaccinations, including the flu shot and COVID-19 booster, are up-to-date. These vaccines are available for free at Primary Health Care Clinics across the country.
Gastrointestinal infections, often caused by viruses, bacteria, or contaminated food and water, can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.
Preventative measures include:
- Practice Safe Food Handling: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Cook meat to the recommended temperature and avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods.
- Drink Safe Water: Use bottled or boiled water if the safety of the water supply is uncertain.
- Wash Hands: Hand hygiene is critical after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly clean food preparation areas to prevent contamination.
- Stay Hydrated: If symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting occur, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
If symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections are severe or persist beyond a few days, individuals should seek medical care immediately. Signs of concern include high fever, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness, reduced urination, or extreme fatigue.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to safeguarding public health and is closely monitoring the local, regional, and international situation. The public will be kept informed of any significant updates. By following these guidelines, we can collectively reduce the burden of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – COVID-19 fears in the Turks and Caicos Islands that once had residents on edge are now giving way to a sense of relief. The Ministry of Health and Human Services reports a dramatic reversal: from dozens of new cases in July to zero cases and zero hospitalizations today.
Between August 17 and 23, 2025, officials confirmed no new cases, no hospitalizations, and no new deaths. Just two recoveries were recorded, bringing the national recovery tally to 6,866. The total confirmed cases since 2020 stand at 6,922, with deaths unchanged at 41. Health officials say August has been relatively quiet overall, with 19 new cases and recoveries recorded for the month — a fraction of what the islands faced just weeks earlier.
The contrast could not be sharper. The most concerning bulletin came in mid-July, when the Ministry reported 54 new cases in a single
week. Ten were fresh positives, while the other 44 came from a backlog of April samples. At that time, two new hospitalizations were recorded, and the islands mourned one additional COVID-related death, bringing the total to 41. It was a sobering reminder that the virus was still circulating, pushing recoveries to 6,845 and raising the cumulative case count to 6,910. The July spike stirred fear among residents and renewed calls for vigilance, as community spread and delayed lab results painted a worrying picture.
Fast forward to late August, and the numbers tell a very different story. Not only are new cases negligible, but the hospitals are reporting no COVID-19 patients at all. Officials say testing continues across a wide range of categories, and the Ministry urges the public to stay cautious: wash hands, wear masks in crowded spaces, protect the vulnerable, and get vaccinated. But the tone now is one of optimism.
Since the pandemic began in 2020, Turks and Caicos has recorded nearly 7,000 cases in total, with 6,866 recoveries and 41 deaths. The islands’ small population means every case has felt significant, and surges like July’s were especially unsettling. But today’s figures suggest the country has reached a new stage: COVID-19 is no longer the disruptive force it was. The Ministry credits continued public vigilance and the accessibility of free testing and vaccines at government clinics. While the numbers are cause for celebration, health leaders are careful not to declare the fight over. The Ministry’s latest bulletin reminds residents to maintain hygienic practices, follow self-isolation guidelines if infected, and ensure vaccinations are up to date.
The pandemic may not be entirely behind the Turks and Caicos, but compared to the frightening figures of July, the near-zero landscape of August offers a powerful sign of hope.
The Ministry released the bulletin on September 2, confirming that for the week of August 17–23, no new cases, hospitalizations, or deaths were recorded — a sharp contrast to the surge just weeks earlier.
Health
Turks and Caicos Islands Health Delegation Completes Strategic Visits to Florida and Cayman Islands to Advance Health Sector Reform and Strengthen Treatment Abroad Programme
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 22 August 2025 — A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) has successfully concluded strategic working visits to Florida and the Cayman Islands from August 5–13, 2025. The mission aimed to strengthen the Treatment Abroad Programme, explore innovative health system models, and advance the Turks and Caicos Islands’ health sector reform agenda through strategic regional partnerships.
Delegation Members:
- Hon. Kyle Knowles – Minister of Health and Human Services
MoHHS Team with Health City Executive Management Team
- Mrs. Desiree Lewis – Permanent Secretary, Health and Human Services
- Mr. Lynrod Brooks – Director, Health Policy and Planning
- Ms. Florinda Talbot – Contract Performance Manager
- Mrs. Romaine Missick-Smith – CEO, Health Regulations Authority
- Ms. Jasmine Malcolm – Executive Administrator, MOHHS
Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Kyle Knowles, highlighted the significance of these engagements:
“These visits were not ceremonial; they were strategic, focused, and impactful. In Florida, we reinforced partnerships with leading healthcare providers to ensure TCI patients referred overseas receive the highest standards of clinical care and patient support. In the Cayman Islands, our mission was two-fold: to study the operations of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority as a model to guide the establishment of our own Health Services Authority, and to strengthen ties with Cayman-based treatment partners, where many of our patients are referred under the Treatment Abroad Programme. Both visits underscored that small island states share many health challenges, and that collaboration, innovation, and adapting best practices to our local context are essential to achieving better health outcomes for our people.”
Florida – Strengthening the Treatment Abroad Programme
MoHHS Team with Cayman Minsterial officials
During the period August 5–9, the delegation visited Broward Medical Center, University of Miami Health System, Cleveland Clinic, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and the International Reinsurance Managers Network. They also toured REVA Air Ambulance Services to review medical evacuation operations and patient transfer management. Discussions centered on patient care pathways, specialized services in ophthalmology, cardiology, oncology, and pediatrics, family-centered care models, advanced telemedicine for pre- and post-treatment consultations, and reinsurance strategies for high-cost overseas cases. Key outcomes include agreements to expand telehealth consultations, develop a standardized referral package to reduce delays, explore reinsurance arrangements to safeguard public health budgets, and establish specialized pediatric transfer protocols.
Cayman Islands – Health Sector Reform and Treatment Abroad Partnerships
From August 10–13, the delegation engaged with senior executives at Health City Cayman Islands, including Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil (Clinical Director), Shomari Scott (Chief Business Development Officer), Rebecca Brooks (Head of Marketing and Sales), and Ingrid Harris (Sales and Marketing). The team toured two hospital facilities and held in-depth discussions with Lizzette Yearwood, Chief Executive Officer along with leadership staff of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority
The focus was two-fold:
- Health Sector Reform – Examining governance, financial management, and operational structures of the Cayman Islands HSA model
MoHHS Team with CEO and senior official Cayman HSA
to inform TCI’s development of its own Health Services Authority.
- Treatment Abroad Strengthening – Reviewing current referral arrangements with Cayman healthcare partners to enhance patient care coordination and improve treatment pathways for TCI patients referred to Cayman.
The delegation also met with Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment, Sustainability, and Honourable G. Wayne Panton, Parliamentary Secretary for Health. The team concluded with a meeting with Acting Premier Hon. Gary B. Rutty and Cabinet members, reaffirming the shared commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes through regional collaboration.
Next Steps
The Ministry will incorporate lessons learned from these visits into ongoing health reform planning, ensuring that the proposed Health Services Authority is tailored to TCI’s needs while reflecting regional best practices. Efforts will continue to ensure that the Treatment Abroad Programme delivers efficient, sustainable, and patient-centered care.
