by Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Since the pandemic began, 350 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis as of June 21, 2021, according to health officials.
Since the outbreak of the deadly virus on May 19, 2021, there have been 305 Covid-19 cases with 273 active and two reported Covid-19 related deaths.
“There are two Covid-19 related deaths. The first was announced last week Thursday June 17. The second occurred within the last 24 hours,” according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws while speaking at the June 21 edition of the National Emergency Operations Centre Covid-19 Press Briefing.
CMO Dr. Laws during her presentation also provided a breakdown of the gender and age of the cases.
“Most of the recent cases fall within the age band of 20 to 49 years but the range goes from just a few months old to 80 plus. In terms of the gender breakdown, 51 percent female and 49 percent male,” she said.
Prior to the May 19 outbreak of the deadly virus in the twin island nation, St. Kitts and Nevis was amongst a few countries that managed to keep the virus from spreading throughout its communities since its introduction in early 2020. Measures included closing the borders to tourists, lockdowns and curfew and eventually a gradual re-opening of borders with mandatory PCR testing before arrival and a mandatory 14 -day quarantine on arrival.
Effective May 01, 2021, inbound air travelers to St. Kitts and Nevis, who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease, were only required to quarantine for nine days with the 14 day period still applying to unvaccinated air travelers.
Tighter measures were implemented as a result of the cluster of cases reported by health officials mid May 2021, the first of which involved a national employed in the hotel industry with no travel history. As a result, the government acting on the advice of the Covid-19 Task Force, mandated that effective May 29, 2021, only fully vaccinated air travelers will be allowed entry into St. Kitts and Nevis with an exemption for citizens and residents. Children 18 years and younger traveling with fully vaccinated parents are allowed entry.
In an effort to further contain the spread of the virus, a State of Emergency was declared by Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton on Tuesday, June 15 and will expire on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The restriction of movement resulting in the closure of non-essential businesses, government employees working remotely from home where possible, suspension of all retail liquor license and restaurants and bars only permitted take-out and delivery service are some of the measures implemented.
