TCI News
TCI’s ‘Operation Guardian’ vigorously arresting illegal migrants, over 113 caught so far
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos – March 17, 2018 – The hunt for illegal migrants in the Turks and Caicos continued into Friday night and Saturday in a multi-agency effort named, #OperationGuardian.
“Operation Guardian, as was mentioned by the Deputy (Police) Commissioner, has yielded tremendous success… it has really began to shift the tide in how we go about our enforcement activities, how we pool our resources and yield the best results. For further mention, it is not only focused on the landing of sloops, but operation Guardian also deals with the visits to job sites and inspections in the communities as well and our ability to detect and apprehend and eventually repatriate illegal persons living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” explained Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control, #SeanAstwood.
The re-booted operation is led by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Border Control and invites support from its Labour Department arm, from the Physical Planning Department and as was explained in an emergency Friday afternoon press conference held at the Office of the Premier, has enjoyed US Coast Guard and private citizens help.
“Sometime last year in response to the spate of violent crimes that was going on last year, there was a group of local businessmen that reached out to the Government and offered assistance in a financial way. My Ministry along with the Police Department along with the Governor has been actively engaging in those discussions over the past number of months… the Police Department are benefitting from their efforts as well as my ministry, the first thing we are receiving out of that fund is a van for the Task Force use that will be day to day operation of things. We want to thank them publically as well. That is going to be an ongoing and continuous support… “
Border Control Minister and Deputy Premier, Astwood explained that 113 Haitians had been rounded up in the past month; 84 of the individuals have been repatriated and 56 others are held at the detention center on South Dock road, awaiting deportation.
“There has been additional staff hired already and we will be increasing the number of staff for the Task Force, just yesterday there was a release from the Deputy Governor’s Office about the availability of new job vacancies for new immigration officers and that is mainly focused on directing to the Task Force.”
The Government’s announcement of recruitment to bolster the Task Force on the local level intimates that the patrols and manhunts are demanding on the current team; the Minister cautioned the public about making sketchy reports which waste valuable time and energy.
“The public should be mindful about making unconfirmed statements about sloop landings because what it does then is it re-directs our resources into areas and then obviously hinders our operations process as well. While we appreciate and welcome the information that we are getting and that we are acting on is credible.
Overnight, more illegal migrants were taken into custody, however the count is unknown. It is believed some of the migrants rounded-up are not among the new illegal Haitians who are believed to have entered Providenciales on five different boats which made land fall between March 9-16; a mere seven day span.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 8th May 2024: A case of malaria has been identified in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The individual is presently stable and receiving treatment. The Public Health team is currently conducting further investigations, however, initial findings indicate the case may be imported. The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working closely with its stakeholders to respond to this finding.
Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another. It is preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment.
There are five species of Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious.
Symptoms
Malaria symptoms range from very mild illness to severe disease and even death. The first symptoms of malaria usually begin within 10–15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Early symptoms can include:
- Fever and flu-like illness
- Chills
- Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur
If not treated quickly, the infection can become severe. If Plasmodium falciparum malaria is not treated within 24 hours, the infection can progress to severe illness and death.
Severe symptoms can include:
- kidney failure
- seizures
- mental confusion
- coma
See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if:
- you are experiencing any of the symptoms of malaria, and
- you have traveled in the last year to or from an area where malaria occurs
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose malaria. A lab test via microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) will confirm malaria using a small sample of your blood.
Prescription drugs can treat and cure malaria.
Prevention
Persons traveling to countries where malaria is endemic should take precautions to prevent infection including taking chemoprophylaxis (use of medications to prevent infection).
For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page onhttps://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
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