Three New Covid-19 Cases, Protocol for Passengers from Miami Changes

St Vincent and the Grenadines today, Friday July 17 recorded three new COVID-19 cases, following the receipt of PCR results from the local Molecular Laboratory Unit.

Two of the new positive cases are returning Vincentians who arrived here on the AA 945 flight on Saturday, July 11th and initially tested negative for COVID-19. The third case is a contact of one of the original positive cases who arrived on Saturday 11, 2020.

The new positive cases are in quarantine, having been identified as high-risk travellers on arrival, or a contact of a known positive case. They will be in isolation until they are cleared by two negative PCR tests. All of the contacts of these new positive cases have been informed and will be quarantined until cleared by a negative PCR.

The other AA 945 passengers who were in close contact on board the flight with known positive cases, or were otherwise identified as high risk, received a second PCR test on day 5 or 6. All of these second PCR tests are negative.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines now has nine active COVID-19 cases, all imported or import related. Some 38 COVID-19 cases have been recorded with 29 recoveries and zero deaths.

In view of the significant number of new COVID-19 cases related to AA 945 on Saturday 11, and the worsening situation relative to COVID-19 in the United States of America, especially Miami, Florida, the origin of the AA 945, the Health Services Subcommittee of the National Emergency Committee has amended the arrival protocol with immediate effect.

As of Saturday July 18, all passengers arriving on AA 945 from Miami International Airport will be subject to five days mandatory quarantine. Passengers who arrive without a PCR result will have a PCR test done at the AIA. A second PCR test may be done between day 5 and day 7 to determine further continuation of quarantine. Port Health Officers will make the final determination.

The public is reminded that persons are placed in quarantine for stipulated periods based on their ongoing possibility of being COVID-19 positive, even after a previous negative COVID-19 result.

The Health Services Sub-Committee of the National Emergency Committee urges all Vincentians to be aware of their health and to report any feelings of being unwell to health care providers. Everyone must remain vigilant, comply with quarantine and isolation orders and all of the recommendations issued, relative to COVID-19.

Adherence to the recommendations for the conduct of mass gatherings, especially the smart use of masks, keeping a registry of persons attending events and hand hygiene, are extremely important as more persons from countries with active COVID-19 community spread, arrive in St Vincent and the Grenadines.