COVID-19 CASES

Eleven (11) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from one hundred and forty-six (146) samples collected on Tuesday December 21st, 2021, resulting in a positivity of 7.5%. Twenty three (23) new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on December 21st,  2021. 

Seven (7) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from forty-nine (49) samples collected  on Wednesday December 22nd, 2021, resulting in a positivity of 14.3%. Twenty (20) new rapid  antigen results were reported from flu clinics on December 22nd, 2021. 

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS 

There is currently one (1) patient admitted for COVID-19 at the Argyle Isolation Facility. The patient is unvaccinated. Nine (9) patients are admitted to the COVID-19 ward at the Milton Cato  Memorial Hospital. All are unvaccinated. 

COVID-19 DEATHS 

Two (2) new deaths were recorded over the reporting period. A 71-year-old male, died at home  after a respiratory illness and tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday 21st December 2021 as  part of the postmortem assessment. This patient was determined to have died from a COVID  pneumonia.  

A 26-year-old male with underlying conditions, tested positive for COVID-19 on December 14th,  2021, was admitted to the isolation ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and died on the  22nd December 2021 of COVID-19 pneumonia.  

Both patients were unvaccinated. Their deaths bring the death toll from COVID-19 to eight-one  (81).

COVID-19 SUMMARY 

Fourteen (14) recoveries were noted over the reporting period. Five hundred and ninety-six (596)  cases are currently active and eighty-one (81) persons with COVID-19 have died. Five thousand  eight hundred and twenty-eight (5828) cases of COVID-19 and five thousand and one hundred  and fifty-one (5151) recoveries have been recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since  March 2020.  

In view of the confirmed presence of the Delta, Mu and Gamma variants in the community and  the significant increase in the number of new infections, transmission, severe COVID-19 disease  and deaths, strict enforcement and compliance with all protocols and recommendations by  everyone is strongly recommended. The correct and consistent use of masks, avoidance of  crowds, physical distancing, proper hand sanitizing and immunization with available vaccines  have all been proven to significantly reduce the risk of being infected, getting sick and or dying  from the COVID-19 virus.