OINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 3 July 2020): The renovation project to support ventilator connections in the Outpatient Department at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre has been completed several days ahead of schedule. As a result, the area will be accessible and reopen for staff and patient use on Monday July 6^th, 2020. Alternative clinical areas were used to operate outpatient services during the renovation period. 

A total of 12 rooms in the outpatient department are now equipped with medical gas lines and electrical fixtures to support ventilator connections. Brand-new Hamilton G5 ventilators were used to test the newly installed medical gas lines this week. A total of six (6) of these ventilators were received from Public Health England in partnership with the TCIG over recent weeks to expand the number of ventilators available across both medical centres. 

The completion of the renovation work is a major step in the plans to expand critical care capacity in response to COVID-19. The other pending components are related to the supply and installation of an oxygen generator along with the receipt of additional equipment from the TCI Government - Ministry of Health. These elements and others are under active discussion and procurement.

The outpatient department area will be utilized for patient surges and critical care in a worst-case scenario as a part of the health sector capacity being built in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Designated rooms on the general ward are currently the location used for the isolation and clinical management of patients affected with COVID-19, and shall remain the primary location once the capacity exists.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 2^nd July 2020:

CONSIDERABLE CHANGES HAVE OCCURED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS’ COVID-19 POSITION OVER THE PAST 24hrs. THE TCI HAS RECORDED TWO NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19; BOTH CASES ARE LOCAL TRANSMISSION. THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE CONFIRMED CASES TO THIRTY-ONE (31), WITH TWO (2) 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.

Today’s confirmed cases brings The total number of confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI to forty-four (44), 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).

TEN (10) TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE, WHICH CONFIRMED TWO PERSONS TESTED WERE POSITIVE AND EIGHT PERSONS TESTED WERE NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of seven hundred and sixteen (716) test results, with six hundred and seventy-two (672) confirmed to be negative and forty-four (44) 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 201. This includes: Confirmed cases (31), contacts of confirmed cases (60), indirect contacts of confirmed cases (46) returning TCI residents (64) – Thirty-nine (39) 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 INCREASE in quarantine/observation numbers is as a result of the new confirmed cases and their contacts being added to quarantine/observation status. To date, a total of 918 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.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 1^st July 2020:

THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS HAS EXPERIENCED LITTLE CHANGE ITS COVID-19 POSITION SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE. NO NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 HAVE BEEN RECORDED. THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE CONFIRMED CASES REMAIN AT TWENTY-NINE (29), WITH TWO (2) OF THE CASES CURRENTLY UNDER HOSPITAL CARE. The Public Health Team is continuing its implementation of aggressive contact tracing and control measures.

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 confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI currently stands at forty-two (42) and no new suspected cases have been recorded. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 remains at ten (10).

SIXTEEN (16) TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE, WHICH CONFIRMED ALL PERSONS TESTED WERE NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of seven hundred and six (706) test results, with six hundred and sixty-four (664) confirmed to be negative and forty-two (42) 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 196. This includes: Confirmed cases (29), contacts of confirmed cases (57), indirect contacts of confirmed cases (46) returning TCI residents (64) – Thirty-nine (39) 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 new contacts of confirmed cases being added to quarantine/observation status; and the quarantine period having expired for several individuals, who have been removed from quarantine/observation status. To date, a total of 918 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.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 30^th June 2020:

THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS HAS SEEN SOME CHANGE ITS COVID-19 POSITION SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE. THE TCI HAS RECORDED ONE NEW CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19. THIS RAISES THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE CONFIRMED CASES TO TWENTY-NINE (29) ONCE AGAIN, WITH THREE (3) OF THE CASES CURRENTLY UNDER HOSPITAL CARE. The Public Health Team is continuing its implementation of aggressive contact tracing and control measures.

No new COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded since the previous update. The total number of confirmed positive cases identified in the TCI currently stands at forty-two (42). TCI continues to record no new suspected cases; with the total number of recoveries from COVID-19 remaining at ten (10).

THIERTY-EIGHT (38) TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE; CONFIRMING ONE POSITIVE CASE OF COVID-19 AND THAT THIRTY-SEVEN OTHERS WERE NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of six hundred and ninety (690) test results, with six hundred and forty-eight (648) confirmed to be negative and forty-two (42) 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 194. This includes: Confirmed cases (29), contacts of confirmed cases (52), indirect contacts of confirmed cases (46) returning TCI residents (67) – Thirty-nine (39) 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 quarantine period having expired for several individuals and those persons being removed from quarantine/observation status; and the new confirmed cases and several returning residents being added to quarantine/observation status. To date, a total of 915 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status. 

LOCAL TESTING IS BEING CONDUCTED FOR PERSONS IN A RANGE OF CATEGORIES, INCLUDING FRONTLINE WORKERS, THOSE THAT MAY NEED TO TRAVEL LOCALLY TO OTHER ISLANDS, TRAVEL FOR TREATMENT ABROAD AND OTHER REASONS. THESE PERSONS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN QUARANTINE.

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.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 30 June 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is saddened to advise that a confirmed COVID-19 patient who was under clinical management and isolation at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre has passed away. 

The elderly resident was recently admitted to the health care facility with underlying comorbidities, which can create a higher risk of more severe clinical outcomes. The patient succumbed to the illness on the evening of Monday, June 29, 2020. The patient is the country’s second confirmed COVID-19 related death. 

Another elderly resident was admitted to TCI Hospital yesterday morning and met the case definition for COVID-19. The patient also had multiple co-morbidities and was very ill. The patient subsequently passed away. The result for the COVID-19 test was negative. 

The families of the deceased have been formally notified. TCI Hospital and the Ministry of Health wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families on the unfortunate loss of their loved ones.

Members of the general public are urged to adhere to the new control measures announced by the Government and adhere to public health guidelines to prevent and suppress the spread of the virus.