By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 12th January 2023)- “It is recommended that you visit your regular doctor or the district medical officer at the nearest health centre if you develop any symptoms of the flu. Persons are also encouraged to remain at home until fully recovered and to wear masks to prevent the transmission of the virus if contracted.” Such information has been provided by Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr.
Terrance Drewa trained medical doctoras shared via a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday 11th January 2023, whilst advising about a gradual increase in RSV, COVID-19, and Influenza (Flu) cases caused by influenza type A virus in the Federation. He highlighted that: “The Ministry of Health is monitoring the emergence of XBB.1.5 latest Omicron subvariant surging in the northeastern USA.This is the most transmissible variant that has been detected so far.
The variant Omicron and its subvariants remain the dominant variants and they cause less severe disease.” “St. Kitts and Nevis, as with the rest of the region, is in the middle of the 2022-2023 Influenza (flu) season which typically occurs between November to March each year.
As the concerns over the influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the new strain of the COVID-19 rise, the Ministry of Health seeks to advise the public on ways to address the symptoms and prevent transmission,” he also stated. According to Dr.
Drew: “Influenza (flu) is an acute and very contagious respiratory tract infection caused by influenza type A (H3N2) and type B viruses circulating in all parts of the world, and in the Caribbean sub-region.” Additionally, he pointed out that: “The COVID-19 – LOCAL NEWS pandemic continues to impact us globally, the USA, Europe, the Caribbean region, and the Federation. There has been a gradual increase in RSV, COVID19, and Influenza (Flu) cases caused by influenza type A virus in the Federation confirmed by laboratory testing.” He recalled that in August 2022, he announced, as Prime Minister of St.
Kitts and Nevis and Minister of Health, “that the mask mandates have been lifted within the Federation except that you are expected to wear a face mask when visiting the hospital or any health facility. However, the public health measures such as mandatory isolation for persons who test positive for COVID-19 remain.” “It is recommended that you visit your regular doctor or the district medical officer at the nearest health centre if you develop any symptoms of the flu.
Persons are also encouraged to remain at home until fully recovered and to wear masks to prevent the transmission of the virus if contracted,” Dr. Drew added. The Health Minister outlined that: “The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to wish everyone optimal health, happiness, and success for 2023 and beyond.” Front Page Image: Image used for illustration purposes only shows a woman sneezing (credit: istockphoto. com)
