Health
Breakthrough cases from abroad lead local spike, still Vaxxed Residents get a pass on testing before coming Home
By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, December 31, 2021 – Most of the active Covid-19 cases recorded in December in the Turks and Caicos are tourists, who are also fully vaccinated; this means they are breakthrough infections. Still the Turks and Caicos Islands Government in its new raft of entry requirements has stopped short of ensuring everyone who enters or re-enters the territory is negative for the coronavirus, by exempting residents and citizens who are fully vaccinated from a process, it maintains keeps the nation safe.
“Remember though, the visitors are testing far more than we are, since for many a negative test or proof of recovery is a requirement for travel. It could be, that we are finding more in this group, only because we are looking more in this group. The truth is, it is difficult for us to know exactly what is happening within our residential population because we are not testing. So far, only 90 tests have been conducted in December through the community outreach programme.
Testing as many people as possible is another strategy we can use in the fight against Covid-19,” said the Dr. Shandey Malcolm, National Epidemiologist during a national health update on Thursday December 30.
Though government states testing is a strategy, the need for it excludes the returning resident who is vaccinated; begging the question why is this demographic omitted from the essential screening.
The Premier, when he addressed the nation in the health update explained that vaccinated residents, because they have taken the vaccine, get preferential treatment which allows them to return home positive for COVID or not.
Jamell Robinson, TCI’s Health Minister said government is still weighing the benefit and risk of not testing all returning residents.
“We’re monitoring, watch the numbers, watch the hospitalisations, see how things are going, seeing how our resources are being deployed… we’ve decided at this point, December 30th that that’s not the route we are going at this point. But if we deem it is absolutely necessary to make that call, we will. But again, we are still doing some more research, and getting some more data to back up how much more we’re going to benefit from going that route.”
What is clear is the dwindled efficacy of vaccines caused by both the Delta and Omicron strains of the Coronavirus has increasingly materialized breakthrough infections, which has resulted in countries around the world requiring full vaccination or quality testing and upon entry or re-entry.
As it stands now, guests who test positive for Covid-19 must remain in Turks and Caicos until they can prove full recovery from the coronavirus.
According to Dr. Malcolm, 63 per cent of the 184 cases recorded up to December 30th in the Turks and Caicos were among vaccinated guests to the country. The positives for Covid-19 were picked up when the visitors were taking Rapid Antigen Tests, a mandatory requirement for re-entry to their homeland.
However, Turks and Caicos is headed into a fourth month where vaccinated residents of the islands do not have to test prior to returning home, even though the likelihood of exposure is high.
On December 24th, 41 new Covid-19 cases were detected in Turks and Caicos, highest figure in 10-months. At this time, the National Public Health Laboratory is functioning at a significantly slower pace due to equipment failure, said a Ministry of Health notice.
Record setting numbers are also charted in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom; popular haunts for Turks and Caicos Islanders. The new rule, announced by Minister Robinson tightens measures for Tourists and Non-Vaccinated residents only. It requires a negative test result for everyone travelling who is two years old and over. The regulation takes effect January 14, 2022.
This altered travel entry requirement increases the cost and stress of travel for those who fall into the category, because more tests will be required per group. The PCR test is also more expensive and has a longer processing period. The change also comes at a time when there is increased pressure on testing centers in source tourism markets, with the “tsunami” of infections due to the Omicron variant of the disease.
The rule has no impact on the vaccinated citizen or resident however, who despite having had to test in order to exit the TCI into hotspot cities and countries which are overrun with the Omicron and Delta variants, can come home infected or not, because no one would know, especially if they are asymptomatic.
“You will notice subliminally that those persons who have not been vaccinated, Turks and Caicos Islanders who go abroad will be required a test before they come back home. If you are vaccinated and ‘boosterised’ you will not be prepared to take that test. For those persons who are not vaccinated, you are still required to be quarantined for fourteen days,” said the Premier who pointed to the rewards for being vaccinated and the penalties or stiffer regulations which kick in, once you’re not.
“People who have followed the protocol and who have been vaccinated, who’ve responded to the appeal to be vaccinated we don’t want to put additional burden on them, inconvenience them, and cause them money in the likelihood they may be positive then it’s a tremendous level of expense for them to have to be quarantined or remain in a foreign country.”
This scenario is sympathetic only to the vaccinated resident and desserts the unvaccinated resident and citizen, because they have opted not to be vaccinated for the coronavirus.
The rule also makes Turks and Caicos Islands, one of the only places in the world where a negative for COVID is not required from everyone entering the borders and so far, the TCI Government is okay with this blazing disparity of rules, which is a significant danger to public health.
A change in the inequitable rule is not off the table. But the Government is taking a gamble with public health and admittedly feels a need to reward those who have taken the vaccine and penalize or alienate those who have not.
Health
Successful Community Kidney Screening Events Hosted by InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital and Ministry of Health and Human Services in Grand Turk and Salt Cay
(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, April 19th, 2024): – InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Community Kidney Screening Events held in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. These events marked a significant milestone in promoting kidney health awareness and early detection.
On April 12, 2024, on Grand Turk (Dillon Hall) and April 13, 2024, on Salt Cay (Ministry of Health Clinic), participants had the opportunity to receive immediate screening results and personalized guidance from dedicated healthcare professionals. The collaborative effort between InterHealth Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services empowered individuals to prioritize their kidney health and take proactive steps towards well-being.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, CEO of InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, shared, “We are happy to see the positive impact of the Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay. By providing accessible screenings and expert guidance by our clinical teams, including our nephrologist and internist, we equip individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their kidney health.”
Similarly, Dr Camelia Clarke, Director of the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes, stating, “These events have showcased the importance of early detection and preventive care in maintaining optimal kidney health.”
The support of sponsors, including the TCI Boating Club, Air and Sea Agency, The Olympic Group Limited, Flow and Digicel, played a crucial role in the success of the Community Kidney Screening Events.
InterHealth-Canada Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Human Services are excited to announce that a series of Kidney Community Screenings with dates for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos will be revealed soon, further extending the impact of this important initiative.
The Community Kidney Screening Events in Grand Turk and Salt Cay have set a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to prioritize kidney health and well-being within the community. Together, we are taking proactive steps towards building a healthier future for all.
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI, APRIL 30, 2024: Provo Water Company (PWC) has made significant progress in addressing recent water supply issues caused by increased water demand on Providenciales, and while ongoing projects aimed at long-term solutions are proceeding as planned, nightly water restrictions will continue through May.
This news comes as an update on the organization’s swift response to the rising water demand, which prompted the initial implementation of nightly restrictions to safeguard daily water reserves. The company is actively pursuing multiple projects, including upgrades to the city water transmission main, the main city water line valves, and the Middle Booster Pump Station,
alongside various other initiatives, to ensure long-term solutions to the supply issues.
Provo Water Company reaffirms its dedication to the residents of Turks and Caicos by continuing with a range of improvement projects aimed at innovative solutions for short and long-term distribution challenges. While diligently advancing these initiatives, the organization has determined that the nightly water restrictions remain necessary to ensure the replenishment of
daily reserves as it strives to keep these projects on track.
These restrictions will be implemented on an as-needed basis to effectively manage water consumption efficiently. If deemed necessary, the restrictions will be in effect from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., optimizing conservation efforts during off-peak hours.
In response to the extension, Managing Director Robert Hall expressed apologies to customers and stakeholders in light of the extension. He reiterates his organization’s dedicated efforts to minimize the frequency of water restrictions and their eventual elimination in response to the extension.
In a statement, Hall said, “We will implement these measures only as required throughout the month of May to efficiently regulate water usage. We recognize the impact of these restrictions, and we want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to minimize inconvenience and ensure that your needs are our top priority.”
The transmission main project, which will enhance various aspects of the existing water supply network, ultimately improving water distribution across the island, is currently scheduled to be completed by mid-June 2024.
Hall concluded, “This project is pivotal in strengthening our water distribution infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring a reliable water supply for our community. By actively working towards its completion, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the utmost excellence, reliability, and efficiency.”
Learn more about Provo Water Company’s water efficiency and conservation initiatives by visiting www.provowater.com. Follow on social media for tips and announcements: @ProvoWaterCompany on Facebook and @provowaterco on Instagram. For inquiries, please contact the customer service team at customerservice@provowater.com.
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