by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) – Over 20 people have been quarantined since last weekend (January 29-31), so says Superintendent Cromwell Henry during his address at the February 3 National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) Press Briefing.
In expressing the possibility of ‘lapses’ despite strict protocol, Supt. Henry highlighted a lapse specific to our island federations. Reportedly a COVID-19 positive person left a quarantine site via public transportation.
“Some may say that there is no COVID-19 in the community and that all the cases are contained and are in quarantine… The truth … while our protocols have proven to be effective in containing the virus, we have seen some lapses… over 20 persons were placed in quarantine just this last weekend as a result of one of such lapses in adherence to the Protocols… a positive COVID-19 case being discharged from quarantine into the community via public transportation… the COVID-19 task force activated its response mechanism… The positive case was identified and quickly placed in isolation. A vigorous contact tracing exercise ensued and all identified contacts were immediately quarantined, including the public service driver who was not observing the basic COVID-19 prevention protocols,” Henry explained.
Henry also indicated that a review of the COVID-19 procedure at the unnamed site was conducted to prevent such a breach from occurring in the future. Additionally, contact tracing is still being done to properly contain possibly spread.
An investigation into this breach is ongoing in an attempt to ascertain if criminal charges will be filed.
Henry further stressed the importance of the protocols and non-pharmaceutical measures in place to prevent or lessen the effect such a ‘lapse’ can have on the federation.
