The Nursing and Midwifery Professions Council is aware that nurses and midwives may have questions in regards to the requirements for registration under the Health Professions Ordinance 2016, and obtaining a ‘licence to practise’ under the Health Professions Regulations 2019.

As the deadline for submission of all applications is August 31, 2020, the Council wishes to host a virtual meeting via the Zoom platform that will allow nurses and midwives to join and ask questions about matters on which they seek clarification.

This Zoom meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2020, commencing at 6pm.

Nurses and midwives who have questions they wish to ask are being requested to submit them in writing to the email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before Tuesday, August 18, 2020, in order that they can be fully considered and addressed.

Health professionals wishing to join the meeting should use the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85275822303?pwd=VnhVb0ZMRFBmR0hYYlNDaXViWkEyZz09

Warm regards.

The Health Professions Authority 

Today, August 19^th 2020, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that the National Public Health Laboratory experienced a disruption in testing. This disruption was the result of a delay of shipments that are due to arrive later today.

The National Public Health Laboratory will resume normal operations on Thursday 20^th August 2020 and apologizes for any delays to the general public.

The Ministry of Health Agriculture Sports and Human Services wishes to advise the public of the temporary closure of its Provo office for deep cleaning.  A member of staff has tested positive for COVID19 and another was in contact with a positive case.  Contact tracing and testing in accordance with established MOH protocols is ongoing.  As a result of this and in keeping with MOH guidelines, deep cleaning will be undertaken to ensure the safety of staff and customers who access our offices.  The office will reopen Monday August 24^th, 2020.

Persons are reminded to contact the health hotlines if experiencing symptoms or signs of Covid-19 which may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea and loss of the sense of smell/taste. Please do not visit healthcare facilities if you have symptoms unless they are severe.

The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the general public to take the relevant precautions at all times to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds
2. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not accessible
3. Cover your cough/sneeze with your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of it
4. Wear face coverings in public
5. Practice social distancing of 6 feet
6. Stay home if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and call the health hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911
7. Avoid mass gatherings
8. Avoid non-essential travel including local, regional and international travel
9. Cooperate fully with contact tracing teams if you are contacted
10. Do not discriminate against persons suspected of having Covid-19

Stay informed-visit the Ministry of Health website for up to date information on https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/

The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services wishes to advise the public of the temporary closure of its Grand Turk office for deep cleaning effective today Wednesday 19^th August 2020. This has become necessary following the observation of mold in the office. Staff will continue to work from home and the office will reopen to the general public on Monday 24^th August 2020. The Ministry of Health would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that as at 12am on 18^th August 2020:

Considerable change has occurred in the Turks & Caicos Islands’ COVID-19 position. Seventeen (17) new cases of COVID-19 have been identified since the previous update. Eight (8) of these new cases are contacts of known confirmed cases and nine (9) are cases with NO clear epidemiological link. There has been one (1) new recovery recorded, bringing the total number of recoveries tO fifty-six (56).

The number of active confirmed cases in the TCI now stands at two hundred and fifty-six (256), with two (2) confirmed cases continuing to be under hospital care. The Public Health Team continues to implement aggressive contact tracing and control measures in relation to all active cases.

The total confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI to date now stands at three hundred and fifteen (315). No new COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded and total COVID-19 related deaths remain at two (2).

Fifty-one (51) new test results have been recorded over the past 24hrs, confirming seventeen (17) individuals positive and thirty-four negative for COVID-19. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two (1892) test results, with one thousand five hundred and seventy-seven (1577) confirmed to be negative and three hundred and fifteen (315) 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 increased to 538. This includes: Confirmed cases (256), primary contacts of confirmed cases (274), secondary contacts of confirmed cases (8). Nine (9) 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 new confirmed cases and their contacts being added to quarantine/observation status, and the removal of the recovered case. To date, a total of 1,346 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 all 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.