MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #68
The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 17th May, 2020:
THE TURKS AND CAICOS HAS SEEN SLIGHT CHANGES IN ITS COVID-19 POSITION SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE.
NO NEW CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES HAVE BEEN RECORDED. CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES CURRENTLY REMAIN AT TWELVE (12); WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES FROM COVID-19 AT TEN (10), AND THE TCI CONTINUING TO RECORD ONE COVID-19 DEATH.
TWO (2) NEW SUSPECTED CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER THE PAST 24hrs. THE SUSPECTED CASES ARE TCI RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING RELEVANT SYMPTOMS WITHOUT A HISTORY OF CONTACT WITH CONFIRMED CASES. Both suspected cases met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19. Samples have been collected and sent for testing.
PERSONS UNDER QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION HAVE INCREASED TO 45. This includes: suspected cases (2), contacts of suspected cases (6), symptomatic persons not meeting the case definition and their contacts (5), and travellers (32) – Sixteen (16) of the travellers are currently being quarantined at a non-medical facility, and are not sick. Persons under observation/quarantine, that are not confirmed or suspected cases, are not displaying symptoms.
THE INCREASE IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION NUMBERS IS AS A RESULT OF THE NEW SUSPECTED CASES AND THEIR CONTACTS BEING ADDED TO QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION STATUS. TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 614 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status.
NO NEW POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE. To date, the TCI has received a total of one hundred and twenty-one (121) test results, with one hundred and nine (109) confirmed to be negative and twelve (12) 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.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to remind the public TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY. PERSONS ARE ALSO REMINDED of offenses committed under section 27 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (nO.4) 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 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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 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.
