The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 21^st June 2020:

THE TURKS AND CAICOS HAS SEEN MINIMAL CHANGES IN ITS COVID-19 POSITION OVER THE PAST 24hrs. THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD TWO (2) NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES TO 14. ONE CONFIRMED CASE IS A RETURNING RESIDENT AND THE SECOND CASE IS LOCAL TRANSMISSION; CONTACT TRACING IS AGRESSIVELY UNDERWAY.

TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD NO NEW SUSPECTED CASES.

THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION HAS INCREASED TO 222. This includes: Confirmed cases (2), contacts of confirmed cases (27), returning TCI residents (173), and other international travellers (20) – Seventy-eight (78) 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 CONTACTS OF CONFIRMED CASES BEING ADDED TO QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION STATUS; SOME PERSONS ALREADY IN QUARANTINE WERE ALSO CONTACTS OF A CONFIRMED CASE AND HAVE BEEN RECATEGORIZED AS SUCH. TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 728 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status. 

NO NEW POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of four hundred and sixteen (416) test results, with four hundred and two (402) confirmed to be negative and fourteen (14) 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.

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 TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES FROM COVID-19 STANDS AT TEN (10); AND THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD ONE COVID-19 DEATH.

the public IS URGED TO FOLLOW THE HEALTH ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY, ESPECIALLY AS WE PROGRESS WITH THE PHASED REOPENING. PERSONS ARE ALSO REMINDED of offenses committed under section 34 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (nO.4) (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) 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.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Sunday, 21 June, 2020):  The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital received a public health notification on Saturday, June 20th, 2020 that an employee from the catering department at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is the confirmed COVID-19 case referenced in the TCI Government recent statement that contracted the virus within the community.

Since becoming aware of the result, the Ministry of Health - Public Health team commenced contact tracing and all of the relevant information needed to assist was provided. Persons deemed close contacts of the employee have been quarantined and testing is ongoing. The source of the transmission is under investigation by Public Health. This is the first TCI Hospital employee who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The affected employee was not responsible for food production. However, the Refresh Cafeteria at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre was closed as a precautionary measure, whilst the necessary due diligence steps continue with catering staff. During the closure period, the hospital will utilize the opportunity to conduct the usual deep sanitization and cleaning above the normal robust environmental procedures and controls in conjunction with TCIG Environmental Health Department. 

TCI Hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has commenced front line worker COVID-19 screening in keeping with regional and international screening of front line workers. The screening commenced with those departments with the highest priority due to more frequent patient exposure. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 peak period, employees, patients and visitors have been subjected to a COVID-19 screening questionnaire and temperature screenings in order to access the health care facility. All patients have been required to present to the emergency department entrance, and staff have a dedicated entrance and are also screened. 

The employee was asymptomatic while at work and therefore would have passed the screening process. On the day the employee became symptomatic, the employee presented to an offsite clinical facility and was required to undergo a COVID-19 test out an abundance of caution, which returned a positive result. All other employees within the small department deemed close contacts are presently asymptomatic and have been quarantined as a precaution. Our thoughts are with our valued staff and the newly diagnosed person for a complete recovery during the home isolation period. 

There have been no changes to the current status of clinical operations at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and the facility continues to enforce visitor restrictions, use of Personal Protective Equipment and other Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures along with reduced patient volumes for outpatient services to ensure compliance with social distancing measures and avoid patient clusters. These are all precautionary measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission and exposure to employees and patients. Further updates on any clinical service changes will be provided as the situation evolves. 

The TCIG Environmental Health Department in collaboration with the Facilities Management Department has secured an external caterer to prepare patient meals given the closure of the Refresh Cafeteria. The external caterer has been briefed on the Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols and patient dietary requirements. Internal arrangements will be made for food distribution to patient rooms as a patient safety measure. 

Employees were notified of the internal positive case upon receipt of the information, and have been encouraged to continue to adhere to the established stringent internal IPC measures within and outside of the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic and the science continues to evolve. The general public is encouraged to maintain strict compliance with public health measures. These include wearing a mask or face covering during appointments to the hospital, contact the Ministry of Health Hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911 if you feel you may have symptoms of COVID-19 and ensure you call and reschedule your outpatient appointment. 

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise that on Friday 19th June 2020, the National Public Health Laboratory reported two new cases of Covid-19. These are the first reported positive cases of Covid-19 since 25th April 2020 and brings the total number of cases for the TCI to 14 since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both individuals are presently in quarantine and neither has been hospitalized. One of the persons tested is a returning resident who was already in quarantine at the time of the test as per the requirements for repatriated residents from overseas.

The second individual was identified in the community and was placed in quarantine pending the test results. Contact tracing including quarantine and testing of close contacts will be undertaken by the Public Health Team.

The General Public is advised that as a part of the Ministry of Health’s protocols, all returning residents are being tested prior to being released from quarantine.  Additionally, the Ministry of Health, through the National Public Health Laboratory,  has been carrying out wider testing including front line officers, domestic travelers, and returning regional and international travelers who are residents.

Covid-19 is a viral illness which is spread from person to person through droplets produced by an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking which can enter another person’s mouth or nose.

The general public is reminded to be aware of the symptoms and signs of Covid-19 which include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Anyone with these symptoms should immediately call the Health Hotlines on 232 9444 or 333 0911.

Everyone is reminded to take the following precautions at all times;

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Cover your cough or sneeze.
5. Stay at home and call the Health hotlines if you have Covid-19 symptoms.
6. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home.
7. Wear face coverings when in public.
8. Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from other persons.

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website on https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/ or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tcihealthpromotions/.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 20^th June 2020:

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAS OCCURED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS’ COVID-19 POSITION OVER THE PAST 24hrs. THE TCI HAS NOW RECORDED TWO (2) NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES TO 14. ONE CONFIRMED CASE IS A RETURNING RESIDENT AND THE SECOND CASE IS LOCAL TRANSMISSION; CONTACT TRACING IS AGRESSIVELY UNDERWAY.

TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD NO NEW SUSPECTED CASES.

SEVENTEEN (17) LOCAL TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED OVER THE PAST 24hrs, WITH TWO (2) CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES AND FIFTEEN (15) PERSONS CONFIRMED NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of four hundred and sixteen (416) test results, with four hundred and two (402) confirmed to be negative and fourteen (14) 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.

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 NUMBER OF PERSONS IN QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION HAS INCREASED TO 210. This includes: Confirmed cases (2), returning TCI residents (188), and other international travellers (20) – Seventy-eight (78) 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 PRIMARILY AS A RESULT OF RETURNING RESIDENT INTO TCI AND THE CONFIRMED CASE RESULTING FROM LOCAL TRANSMISSION. TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 728 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status. 

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES FROM COVID-19 STANDS AT TEN (10); AND THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD ONE COVID-19 DEATH.

the public IS URGED TO FOLLOW THE HEALTH ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY, ESPECIALLY AS WE PROGRESS WITH THE PHASED REOPENING. PERSONS ARE ALSO REMINDED of offenses committed under section 34 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (nO.4) (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) 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.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 19^th June 2020:

SINCE THE PREVIOUS UPDATE, MINIMAL CHANGES HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS’ COVID-19 POSITION. TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD NO NEW POSITIVE OR SUSPECTED CASES.

TWENTY-THREE (23) LOCAL TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED OVER THE PAST 24hrs, CONFIRMING ALL PERSONS TESTED WERE NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. 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. To date, the TCI has recorded a total of three hundred and ninety-nine (399) test results, with three hundred and eighty-seven (387) confirmed to be negative and twelve (12) 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 CURRENTLY STANDS AT 200. This includes: Returning TCI residents (180), and other international travellers (20) – Seventy-three (73) 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.

TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 728 individuals have been released from quarantine/observation status.

CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES CONTINUE TO STAND AT TWELVE (12); WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOVERIES FROM COVID-19 AT TEN (10), AND THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD ONE COVID-19 DEATH.

The public IS ADVISED TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE HEALTH ADVICE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE MINISTRY, ESPECIALLY AS WE PROGRESS WITH THE PHASED REOPENING. PERSONS ARE ALSO REMINDED of offenses committed under section 34 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (nO.4) (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) 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.