MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #116

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The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 4th July 2020:

SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE, THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS HAS SEEN CONSIDERABLE CHANGE IN ITS COVID-19 POSITION. THE TCI HAS RECORDED TWO NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19; ONE INDIVIDUAL IS A CONTACT OF ANOTHER KNOWN CONFIRMED CASE AND THE OTHER IS LOCAL TRANSMISSION WITH NO CLEAR LINK. THIS INCREASES THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE CONFIRMED CASES TO THIRTY-FOUR (34), WITH THREE (3) OF THE CASES CONTINUING TO BE UNDER HOSPITAL CARE. The Public Health Team is continuing its implementation of aggressive contact tracing and control measures in relation to all active cases.

THESE NEW confirmed caseS INCREASES The total number of confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI to forty-SEVEN (47), with no new suspected cases being recorded. No new COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded since the previous update and total COVID-19 related deaths remain at two (2). The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 remains at ten (10).

THIRTY-FIVE (35) TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE, CONFIRMING TWO PERSONS POSITIVE AND THIRTY-THREE (33) OTHERS NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of seven hundred and forty (775) test results, with seven hundred and twenty-eight (728) confirmed to be negative and forty-seven (47) positive confirmations. All persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and any contacts, (if quarantined, will be removed from quarantine/observation status) are asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health.

THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION HAS DECREASED TO 192. This includes: Confirmed cases (34), contacts of confirmed cases (62), indirect contacts of confirmed cases (49) returning TCI residents (47) – Thirty-two (32) of these persons are currently being quarantined at a non-medical facility. Persons under observation/quarantine, that are not confirmed or suspected cases, are either not displaying symptoms or have not met the case definition.

The CHANGE in quarantine/observation numbers is as a result of the TWO new confirmed caseS and their contacts being added to quarantine/observation status; AND THE QUARANTINE PERIOD HAVING EXPIRED FOR SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS, THESE PERSONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION STATUS. To date, a total of 947 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status. 

Local testing is being conducted for persons in a range of categories, according to the national testing strategy. This includes frontline workers and those who may need to travel for treatment abroad. These persons would not be reflected in quarantine numbers.

the public IS STRONGLY URGED TO FOLLOW THE HEALTH ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY, ESPECIALLY AS WE PROGRESS WITH THE PHASED REOPENING.

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. Wearing of masks required in public.
  3. Practicing social distancing.
  4. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
  5. Cover your coughs and sneezes (use your elbow or a tissue which should be properly disposed of).
  6. Keep frequently touched surfaces clean e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
  7. Protect those who are vulnerable in the community such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.
  8. Do not discriminate against persons who have or are suspected of having COVID-19.

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.