Health
Hospitality Sector gets advice on Monkey Pox
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, August 20, 2022 – As this new outbreak pushes the parameters of what the world thought it knew about Monkeypox, Dr. Jeremy Myers, Deputy Chief Medical Officer when questioned about how one can protect from contracting this new health threat, had advice for the hospitality.
“General disinfectants have been proven to be effective and what we call barrier methods which would be wearing gloves or disposable aprons— if you keep those kinds of interaction as brief as possible and wash your hands in between, wearing gloves etc. would definitely reduce the chance of you getting infected” he said.
Turks and Caicos has detected one suspected case so far. It was imported and the individual was asked to self-isolate. At this time, the British overseas territory is ill-equipped, though eager to be able to do so, to test and confirm any cases of MonkeyPox.
“We can’t test for it locally so it is for each and every person to take all necessary precautions,” he explained. Adding, “Some of the equipment that we already gained from Covid with modified reagents and equipment can be used to test for Monkeypox but because this is the latest public health emergency as you can imagine these resources are very limited and in high demand across the world so we are working aggressively to try and bargain for our piece to increase our capacity to test for Monkeypox.”
Currently there are over 35,000 known cases of MonkeyPox worldwide.
The rash that characterizes Monkeypox has changed in some cases during this outbreak. Instead of starting on the face and spreading outwards after it has often begun in areas other than the face (e.g., genital, perianal, the mouth) in some patients, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the lesions have been scattered or localized to a specific body site rather than diffused like usual and many have not involved the face or extremities.
Regardless, Myers reminded that one needed prolonged exposure to the virus to contract it and there were precautions that could reduce the risk especially for those handling sheets etc.
There are also symptoms to look out for including:
Few lesions or even a single lesion
-Absence of skin lesions in some cases, with anal pain and rectal bleeding
-Lesions in the genital or perineal/perianal area that do not spread to other areas of the body
-Lesions appearing at different stages of development (asynchronous)
-The appearance of lesions before fever, malaise, and other systemic symptoms (absence of
prodromal period)
In the meantime and while no timeline was given for when testing for Monkeypox would be up and running in the Turks and Caicos, the acting Health Minister, E Jay Saunders offered that the Ministry was operating on a basis that the virus would eventually make its way to the TCI because of the country’s proximity to several hotspots for the virus including Florida and due to the nature of tourism.
The team, he said at an August 8 press conference, is working aggressively to expand testing capability. Until then quarantine of suspected cases of the rapidly spreading disease will be the action in order to minimize impact.
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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