RTC Director

Good day everyone.

I would like to start by offering my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones at this time. It has been a challenging time for families and as a community we must support those who are grieving at this time.

The TCI is currently in a better position in relation to the pandemic than the previous time we met. As it stands, we currently have 53 active cases with 46 in Providenciales and 7 in Grand Turk with 1 hospital admission which Dr Braithwaite Tennant will expound on later. An additional 10 (revised to 12) new cases will be reflected on todays dashboard.

Total number of cases of COVID 19 since the onset of the epidemic: 2910 Of these:

2824 Recovered
23 persons have unfortunately passed away

53 Active
8 individuals have died abroad
1 Repatriated
1 died from other cause
Of the active cases = 3 reside in GT and 50 reside in Provo WEEKLY CASES (trend)

12 cases so far for this week (+12 new)

NEW SURGE IN CASES

Since July 7th 2021, we have detected a total of 485 new cases Description:
235 or 49% are male

AGE GROUP CASES 0 – 9 years 44 10–19 63 20–29 83 30–39 99 40–49 97 50–59 69 60–69 17 70–79 11 80+ 2 Total 485

359 of the cases or (74%) are residents: Initially more tourists or visitors were testing positive, however more recently most new cases are in residents. We can attribute this change to the roll out of the vaccinated visitors only policy which came into effect on 1st September 2021.

303 (62%) of the cases since 7th July 2021 have been symptomatic. This time around, we have noted that we have been seeing more symptomatic persons.

110 or (23%) are listed as contacts of other positive cases; 168 or (35%) are linked to international travel. And 207 (43%) unlinked. The number of unlinked cases speaks to ongoing community spread of COVID19.

Breakthrough Cases

Breakthrough cases, which are defined as cases occurring in persons who have been fully vaccinated- have been documented in 106 persons since the beginning of the vaccination programme. Of note, this number includes data collected on visitors who would have been vaccinated. Breakthrough infections are expected. Based on available evidence, vaccination may make illness less severe for those who are vaccinated and still get sick. The risk of infection, hospitalization, and death are all much lower in vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated and so the message from the Ministry of Health remains the same-we encourage all eligible persons to become vaccinated.

Of these cases described earlier, only 2 have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths in vaccinated individuals.

School Cases

We continue to see a higher proportion of cases among children when compared to time before the current surge.

Since schools reopened on Sept 6th 2021, we have detected a total of 213 cases of COVID19 in the TCI. Of these, 47 (22%) have been among school/nursery/kindergarten age children between the ages of 0 – 17 years.

Of the 47 school aged children, 40 said they attended a local school/nursery.

Clusters

We continue to investigate a few workplace clusters including one work place with 42 cases.

This week’s COVID vaccine report as of 11th October records a total of 28 529 persons or 82% of the population have received the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine with 26 233 persons being fully vaccinated which represents 75.1% of the eligible population.

Importantly, since the launch of the TCIs COVID-19 vaccine booster strategy which was launched on 4th October 2021, a total of 816 persons have received their booster doses. The TCIs strategy is in line with the UKs guidance which focuses on persons who have received the last dose of the vaccine more than 6 months ago who fall into the following target groups;

1. Chronicnon-communicablediseasesclientse.g.PersonswithHypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer etc.

2. Adultsovertheageof50years

3. Healthcareandfrontlineworkers

4. Caregiversofthevulnerable

The aim of the booster strategy is to offer greater protection to these vulnerable groups who would have received their second dose of the vaccine more that 6 months ago.

Persons who are eligible for booster doses should reach out to their health care providers about receiving the additional dose.

The Ministry of Health continues to promote the COVID-19 vaccine which is readily accessible and free of cost to residents as a critical defense against COVID- 19 and a tool which will help the TCI to get back to the new normal amidst the ongoing pandemic. We don’t have to look far to see what an enviable position the TCI is in as it relates to our access to the COVID-19 vaccine through the UKG. To date, we have received 5 tranches of the vaccine with additional deliveries being arranged in order to ensure that our resident population is protected.

Many countries both near and far are still struggling to meet the demands for the vaccine by their citizens and are experiencing challenges in accessing sufficient quantities of the vaccine to protect vulnerable groups as well as the wider population.

Each country continues to place a focus on the vaccine as a means of managing the pandemic in order to reduce both deaths and hospitalizations. Although we have come far in this regard in the TCI, we can still do better. We need more persons to become vaccinated. Those who are eligible should get vaccinated to protect those who cannot get vaccinated such as young children below the age of

12 years. We owe it to our fellow citizens to do what we can as individuals to protect the wider community. We still have room for improvement as it relates to persons who would be considered vulnerable as well as younger persons whose uptake remains relatively low.

For the island of Grand Turk, which is anticipating the return of the cruise ships soon, it will be important for as many persons to be immunized as possible so that the resumption of cruising can be done safely with minimal negative impacts to residents. Particularly for those who work in the tourism industry or who come into contact with visitors, it will be important for you to become vaccinated and practice the protocols of social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene practices.

Schools

I would like to appeal to all parents at this time to keep your children home if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID19. Children and adults experience similar symptoms, however, children's symptoms tend to be mild and similar to colds. Symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Cough that becomes productive

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea

• Chills

• Muscle aches and pain

• Extreme fatigue

• New severe headache

• New nasal congestion

If your children have these symptoms, please contact the health hotlines on 333 0911 or 232 9444 for guidance. Please ensure that the child is tested and cleared before they return to school. Please also inform your child’s school so that they are aware that your child is unwell.

Parents, please continue to reinforce hygienic measures with your children. It is global handwashing day today October 15th and the Ministry is marking this day by promoting the importance of handwashing as a measure to prevent illness and save lives. It is a simple act which should be practiced by all and is even more important during this pandemic. Viruses such as COVID-19 and others as well as bacteria can be present on surfaces and spread through dirty hands which touch faces, mouths eyes and food and thereby cause diseases. Frequently washing your hands with running water and soap particularly after using the bathroom, before and after preparing food, before eating etc. can reduce the risk of disease spread. Practicing this simple act can protect persons from diseases and should be reinforced with children as well as covering coughs and sneezes and wearing face coverings in public.

As caregivers, it is our responsibility to teach our children how to keep themselves safe during this time and beyond.

Pregnant women are another group I would like to highlight as the data around the world has shown that pregnant women who are unvaccinated against COVID19. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared with non-pregnant people. Severe illness includes illness that requires hospitalization, intensive care or illness that results in death. Additionally, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of preterm birth and might be at increased risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, compared with pregnant women without COVID-19.

In the UK, it has been recently reported that pregnant women who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 account for almost 20% of critically ill coronavirus patients in England’s hospitals, in a statement from the National Health Service.

One in five patients receiving treatments through a special lung-bypass machine since July were expectant mothers who have not had their first shots.

The vaccine as we have said before, is safe for persons who are trying to conceive as well as women who are pregnant. The vaccine is safe in these groups and can reduce the risk of infection and protect both mother and baby. It can also offer protection to the babies through the transmission of antibodies generated in response to the vaccine.

All pregnant women in the TCI are being encouraged to become fully vaccinated.

We continue to encourage residents throughout the islands to take advantage of free community testing. The schedule is released monthly by the MOH for testing which is conducted by Primary Health on all islands as well as taking advantage of free testing at private health care facilities for the purposes of community screening. It should be noted that free community screening tests cannot be utilized for travel.

As we move into winter, persons are being encouraged to stay home if they experience coughs, colds, fever etc. and contact the health hotlines for advice. We will also begin to offer the flu vaccine throughout the islands in the Primary Health Care clinics.

Flu is also a viral respiratory illness but is caused by influenza viruses which spread between persons. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, people will need to be tested in order to determine which virus is causing their illness. People can be infected with both a flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily from person to person than flu and can cause more serious illness. Compared with people who have flu infections, people who have COVID-19 can take longer to show symptoms and be contagious for longer. Persons are encouraged to take the flu vaccine once it is available at their Primary Health Care Clinics.

October is also recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month and is being marked by the Ministry of Health through the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit. Our aim is to raise awareness of this disease and encourage early detection and screening. Please engage with the planned activities for this month.

Although much progress has been made in the TCIs pandemic response, we should not drop our defenses. Each person has a personal responsibility to practice the precautions which will keep themselves as well as anyone they may come into contact with safe during the ongoing pandemic, whether its your family, friends or a stranger.

The MOH, throughout the pandemic, has continued to provide information and guidance based on best practices and evidence to the general public and businesses, ensured the ongoing roll out of the vaccine, ensured that the vaccine is both accessible and delivered at no cost to individuals through partnership with the private sector, built and facilitated on island testing capacity in the public and private sector as well as worked with the hospitals to expand hospital capacity through the expansion of beds, provision of supplies, equipment and consumables as well as building in country oxygen generation capacity as well as supporting clinical response thought the Cuban Medical Brigade who have been with us since 15th June 2020.

At this point, much of what happens going forward will require personal responsibility, each one of us will need to be responsible for taking the advice given to protect ourselves as well as others.

Lastly, would like to express my thanks to all of the staff of the MOH under the leadership of Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis. The many departments and units within the MOH continue to place COVID19 response as their top priority along with their other daily obligations. Staff continue to work on the front line around the clock in order to deliver critical services. They continue to

demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of the TCIs population and our visitors. COVID 19 has been and continues to be an unprecedented experience and without this team, we could not have made it to where we are without them as well as our other Ministries across all sectors, who we have worked closely with.

Thank you and Stay Safe.