#TurksandCaicosIslands – April 10, 2020 — The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 9th April, 2020:
THE TCI HAS NOT RECORDED ANY NEW COVID-19 DEATHS.
THE TOTAL CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES REMAINS AT EIGHT (8).
One confirmed positive case has passed away since confirmation and another case
has since left the TCI. Proper infection prevention and control measures were
utilized during this entire process.
The number of suspected cases of COVID-19 in the TCI
HAS RISEN SLIGHTLY TO EIGHT (8). The eight suspected cases are persons
(seven residents and one visitor) experiencing relevant symptoms but with no
recent travel history or pertinent contact. Two suspected cases are under
hospital care.
All persons met the
WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19. Samples have been
collected and sent for testing, and we are currently awaiting results.
QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION
NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED TO 48. This includes: The active confirmed cases (patients in the TCI that are currently infected)
(6), contacts of a confirmed case (6), the suspected cases (8), persons under
investigation (4), relatives/contacts of suspected cases/persons under
investigation (22), and TCI residents returning from overseas (2). Persons
under observation/quarantine are either not displaying symptoms or have not
meet the case definition for COVID-19.
On 1st
April, 2020 the case definition for COVID-19 was amended for TCI; a travel
history is no longer needed to fit the criteria. Given the closure of the TCI
borders it is likely that new case would be as a result of local transmission.
NO
NEW TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE AS AT 8th
APRIL, 2020. To date, a total of sixty-one (61) test results have
been received, with fifty-three (53) confirmed negative and eight (8) positive
confirmations. Persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and their contacts, were
moved from quarantined status and asked to continue following proper guidelines
from the Ministry of Health. Those cases confirmed positive are in isolation
with contact tracing aggressively continuing.
The
Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to remind the public of offenses
committed under section 18 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020
in regard to false Statements/information. You do not have to be the originator of the statement/information in
order to be charged under the law.
Please note the following definitions:
• A suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as
outlined by WHO and CARPHA – and is experiencing symptoms.
• A person in quarantine is an individual on island who has come
from infected country(ies) or may have come in proximity to suspected or
confirmed cases – and have not exhibited symptoms.
Let’s continue to reduce the risk by:
1. Washing our hands for 20secs or more
2. Practicing social distancing
3. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of
the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: COVID19@gov.tc; or call our
hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know
has symptoms or signs of COVID-19.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
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).
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.
“Our daughter is on the plane and they took them off the plane and we don’t know where the people are—she called— and we haven’t been able to get a hold of her since” the words of a panicked parent and one example of the chaos that criminals making malicious bomb threats on the Turks and Caicos’ airports are causing.
That parent was one of many residents waiting anxiously outside the Providenciales International Airport on Sunday, May 5th after Bomb threats were yet again filed against it; simultaneously threats were also made against the JAGS McCartney Airport in Grand Turk.
The couple, speaking to Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, were sitting in their car, the mother in tears, watching as travelers were made to disembark and leave the airport for their own safety.
The TCIAA confirms that it quickly evacuated travellers who were on board the aircraft on the runway at the time, via gates in airport fencing.
Arthur spoke to pilots who were frustrated at the delay.
”From our perspective, this flight is canceled.“ One of them told Arthur.
They expressed the same concern that other residents had shared with Magnetic Media, that it was time for the police to find the culprits behind the repeated threats which have turned out in all cases so far to be hoaxes.
Magnetic Media observed dozens of resident travelers mowing about on the tarmac and outside of the airport just waiting for police to finish their bomb threat protocol for the sixth time in 10 days.
The other threats came on Friday, April 26, Saturday, April 27, and Monday, April 29 (2) all via email.
Eventually, passengers were observed going back through security to reboard their flights.
It’s the first time in six encounters that no word has come from the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority about the bomb threat, and when Arthur tried to approach the airport to film, he was told not to.
Based on eyewitness reports, several flights were delayed, including at least one international flight to Texas.