SVG records three new Covid-19 cases in arrivals from the US and Canada

St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday, December 8 recorded three new COVID-19 cases.

A release from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) said one  case is a returning national who arrived with a negative RT-PCR test result from Canada on Monday December 7, 2020 and tested positive on entry screening for  SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. The second and third cases are American nationals who arrived from the USA also on Monday December 8, 2020.  The adults arrived with negative RT-PCR results, and tested positive on entry  screening.

“All of these travelers are in mandatory quarantine and will be isolated  until cleared by two negative tests. Contact tracing and testing have commenced,” the release said.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has now recorded a total of  90 COVID-19  cases, 80 of which have recovered. There are now 10 active COVID 19 cases, all imported from countries categorized as high risk. 

“The number of travelers from high risk countries such as the USA and UK are expected to increase as persons come to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for  Christmas and the traditional winter tourist season. The risk of travelers testing  positive for COVID-19 is expected to continue to increase.

“The need for strict  compliance with the existing quarantine protocols by all, is extremely important if  residents are to continue to live with minimal restrictions during the COVID-19  Pandemic. Travelers who complete their five days in an approved hotel must  continue to quarantine at home for the entire additional nine days in compliance  with the 14-day Medical Officer Quarantine Order. Any interruptions to  this 14-day quarantine should only be with the specific authorization from a  Port Health Officer or according to established resort protocols,” the release said.