Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 06, 2020 (SKNIS): An emergency meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) was held on April 06, 2020, to discuss matters pertaining to COVID-19 including the global test kit shortage.

“We are now facing a dilemma where on the one hand the WHO and other premiere world agencies are telling you to test, which is what we need to do, but at the same time there is the reality dawning that tests supply would be an issue,” said Minister of State with responsibility for Heath, the Honourable Wendy Phipps.

“However, we reiterate that we reserved testing for persons who are suspected cases. In our jurisdiction, as with the rest of the world, 95 percent of the transmissions are coming from this group. Only five percent of the transmissions are coming from persons without symptoms,” she said.

Minister Phipps reported that the meeting informed the membership that some one million test kits have been ordered by PAHO to be used on the people of the English-speaking Caribbean as well as Latin American countries that are covered by PAHO.

“This supply will begin drop shipping into our member states as of next week, but of course you can appreciate that it is a large order so it will be done on a staggered basis. So, that is some good news that we are keeping our fingers crossed on,” she said.

In the interim, CARICOM, PAHO and CARPHA will be issuing separate media statements on the state of play in the region as it relates to testing and supplies, said the Honourable Wendy Phipps.

Minister Phipps stated that hopefully there will be a point where “we will be willing and able to test even the asymptomatic ones because it also means that during the time of the incubation period and beyond you could have a situation where you have no symptoms, but then you might be contagious to others.”

“For clarity and as a reminder our premiere facility, our laboratory that confirms cases of COVID, is the Caribbean Public Heath Agency (CARPHA) and of course these tests are PCR based tests,” said Minister Phipps. “These are not the rapid tests you are hearing about like the ones coming out of China, which has received so much press. These are confirmed laboratory protocols where step is taken to give you as detailed a pathology as possible on the samples that are sent in order for us to come to you, as needs be, to tell you whether a case is confirmed or not beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) of the CARICOM seeks to promote and develop coordinated policies and programmes to improve living and working conditions and to take measures to facilitate the promotion of harmonious labour and industrial relations in the Community.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 6^th April 2020)-A tourism industry worker is St.Kitts and Nevis’ latest confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patient as of  Monday 6^th April 2020, making up the list of eleven  (11) cases to date.

That individual has been identified as a 35-year-old male who is a citizen of the Federation, and resident on Nevis where there is now four individuals in isolation with the illness while seven are on St.Kitts.

Details were shared at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) live daily briefing by junior minister of health Senator Wendy Phipps who said the man is “employed in the tourism industry and is such the case can be described as import related” and that this additional case was recorded “as of 12:29AM today.”

Phipps reported in the Federation there are no deaths attributed to COVID-19.

To date, 183 persons have been tested with the eleven confirmed positive, 114 confirmed negative and some 58 results pending from CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency).

Additionally, 34 persons are quarantined at a government facility while 224 persons are quarantined at home while the 11 persons tested positive are in isolation.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 05, 2020 (SKNIS): Several residents have stepped forward to volunteer their time and energies to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) as authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis work to curb the spread of COVID-19.
 
Chairman of the COVID-19 National Working Group, Abdias Samuel, noted that volunteers are currently being trained to man the 311 hotline that was established by the government in partnership with the telecommunications company FLOW. The toll-free hotline functions 24/7 and provides information, gives advice and addresses concerns related to the coronavirus and the ongoing national lock-down. It also facilitates emergency assistance.
 
Mr Samuel, who also heads the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), thanked the individuals who raised their hand in service to the twin-island federation.
 
“We welcome every citizen and resident who wishes to volunteer and support this cause,” Mr. Samuel stated.
 
Interested individuals can contact the NEOC at 466-9626 or 466-5100 to find out how they can assist in the national war against COVID-19. The 466-5100 number accepts WhatsApp messages.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Sunday 5^th April 2020)- The Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) yesterday (Saturday 4^th April 2020) delivered care packages to the elderly and others in need as part of its newly launched project dubbed NextGenSKN Cares COVID-19 Initiative.

As gathered, the objective of this first NextGenSKN project is the distribution of about 4000 care packages to the socioeconomic displaced employees of the hospitality and manufacturing enclave sectors, most of whom are relatively young and receiving minimum wage as well as the elderly, shut-ins, mentally challenged and less abled.

According to information coming from the SKNLP’s public relations office, the initiative was launched on Friday 3rd April 2020 under the auspices of Deputy Party Leader and Constituency Representative for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) Marcella Liburd, Constituency One (East Basseterre candidate Dr. Geoffrey Hanley and Constituency Four candidate Steve Wrensford, of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, on WINNFM Radio and via Facebook live.

It has been shared that yesterday all eight (8) members/Candidates of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party’s NextGenSKN Team delivered simultaneously their first wave of over 1000 Care packages around the entire island of St Kitts, to deserving citizens and residents living in the capital city Basseterre and its suburbs, and throughout our various towns and villages.

“This Charitable Organ of the SKNLP NextGenSKN Team was able to secure contributions from a few benefactors at home and abroad and campaign funds of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, which were diverted for a COVID-19 Charitable cause. These were used to purchase items of food and personal hygiene to assist persons struggling to cope with the socioeconomic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” states information found on www.sknlabourparty.com.

Further details reveal that: “Recipients of the Care Packages have been very grateful, openly commenting their satisfaction. Many of our senior citizens were uncertain of the reliability of their regular meals, as their caretakers were distressed over the many hours of waiting in long lines outside the supermarkets to obtain basic groceries, and the curfews imposed by the COVID-19 Regulations under Emergency Powers of the Governor General.”

All candidates, suppliers and packers as well as Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy and the Police High Command have been thanked for their cooperation.

The opposition body has shared that many persons at home and abroad have called to make contributions, whether financial or otherwise and are seeking guidance.

To this end, the NextGenSKN Cares wishes to inform persons that they can make such financial contributions/donations to:

SAVING ACCOUNT # 25561, at
St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, in the name of: LABOUR OFFICE COMMITTEE.
This can be assessed internationally with the following wiring instructions through:

WACHOVIA BANK,N.A.
FL6079
200 SOUTH BISCAYNE BOULEVARD, 12th Floor
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131
SWIFT: PNBPUS3NNYC
ABA: 026005092

TO CREDIT ACCOUNT
INO: ST KITTS NEVIS ANGUILLA NATIONAL BANK LTD
SWIFT: KNANKNSK

FOR FUTHER CREDIT

ACCOUNT NAME: Labour Office Committee
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 25561

 Persons and organizations are also invited to make contributions of food and personal hygiene items. Further information can be obtained by calling +1-869-465-0300 or via email to asimmartin@gmail.com.

BASSETERRE,  St.Kitts (Saturday 4^th April 2020)-A female who fits in the age category of those at risk of getting COVID-19 has tested positive for the illness, bringing the present total number of cases in the Federation to 10 with three on Nevis and seven on St.Kitts.

Junior Minister of Health, Senator Wendy Phipps announced at today’s  live daily report that: “Today Saturday, April 4, 2020 St. Kitts and Nevis recorded one (1) additional case of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 10. The patient is a 66 year-old female who is a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, and resident on Nevis. “

According to her, “The case appears to have been travel related, due to the patient’s contact with tourists from the UK and the USA who would have recently visited the Federation.”

She highlighted that now that confirmation of COVID-19 has been received, the patient is subjected to compulsory isolation in order to limit the likelihood of transmission to others.

Additionally, Phipps said the Ministry of Health on Nevis would have commenced tracing the contacts of this individual and these contacts would be subject to strict quarantine and testing.

“The Federal Ministry of Health again reminds our citizens and residents of our individual and collective responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our Nation by following the advice of the public health authorities regarding infection and prevention control (IPC). There should be strict observance of quarantine and isolation regulations by remaining at home if you are placed on home/self-quarantine, or in the place of isolation for the entire duration of the period,” the junior health officials commented.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 2^nd April 2020)-A ninth COVID-19 case has been recorded in the Federation with that of a 51-year-old individual.

Junior Health Minister, Wendy Phipps announced at today’s daily media briefing that: “At 11:04 am today, Thursday, April 2, 2020 St. Kitts and Nevis recorded one (1) additional case of COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to nine (9). The patient is a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, and resident on Nevis.”

She said now that confirmation of COVID-19 has been received the patient is subjected to compulsory isolation in order to limit the likelihood of transmission to others, and that the Ministry of Health on Nevis would begin tracing the contacts of this individual, and these contacts would be subject to strict quarantine and testing.

Phipps expressed that the Federal Ministry of Health again reminds citizens and residents of our individual and collective responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our Nation by following the advice of the public health authorities regarding infection and prevention control (IPC).

“There should be strict observance of quarantine and isolation regulations by remaining at home or in the place of quarantine or isolation as determined by our public health authorities.”

The Junior Minister of Health reminded the public that the Federal Ministry of Health remains the only official source of information on COVID-19 in the Nation. The public is further advised that all confirmed test results are sent directly to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and not to any third parties. Feel free to call the COVID-19 Hotline #311 if you have questions and concerns.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 2^nd April 2020) – Family households are being encouraged to let only one member of the family to do the shopping during the coronavirus curfew days.

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, in his address to the nation yesterday (Thursday 2^nd April 2020), said persons stay at home except in special circumstances.

“You should stay at home except in special circumstances. Let me repeat – you should stay at home except in special circumstances. We realize that some people will be without food and necessary medicine and medical supplies, and on Friday and on the next day, Saturday, between the hours of 6:00am to 7:00pm, a limited or restricted curfew will allow persons to go to supermarkets and pharmacies, to restock on the necessities of life.”

He continued: “If you need to buy food or medicine, we encourage that only one member of a household leave the residence to do so; that you prepare a list of your food items and avoid unnecessary shopping and frequent visits to the supermarkets. As has been reported in a prior broadcast, there is adequate food available at this time and for the foreseeable future.”

Dr. Harris says those who live in rural areas are further encouraged to purchase your food items in your local community shops and therefore lessen any congestion that could take place if you were to travel to the city center.

“I urge those of you who must leave your homes to do your tasks and return to your homes in the quickest time possible. If you do have to go out, the Regulations require you to, and you must, practice social or physical distancing. You should maintain a physical distance of at least six feet (6 ft.) in or outside of any business place that you must visit. Everyone is encouraged to wear a face mask, which covers their nose and mouth.”

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 2^nd April 2020) – Under the current state of emergency measures already in place, the government of St.Kitts-Nevis is ordering all residents in the Federation to stay at home for a longer period with a combination of daily curfews and round another total lockdown expected to run for the next seven (7) days, starting tomorrow morning (Friday 3^rd April 2020).

“These Regulations will take effect on Friday morning, the 3rd April at 6:01am, when the current Regulations enacted on Tuesday expire. These new (COVID-19) Regulations will be the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 3) Regulations, SR&O No. 10 of 2020, and will run until Thursday, 9th April at 7:00pm when the Cabinet of Ministers will determine any new action to be taken. This will be based on, and informed by, the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Chief of Staff of the JNF General Hospital, other Health Professional Experts, the leadership of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the Security Forces.”

So said Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris when he addressed the nation informing that today he asked the Governor General to make further Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations under the State of Emergency now existing in St. Kitts and Nevis.

He went on to indicate that on Friday, the Shelter in Place Regulations will remain in force.

“This means that, as we continue to use every effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, every person – I repeat, every person – shall remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their yard space, to avoid contact outside of their family.”

According to Dr. Harris: “A curfew remains in place from 7:00pm Friday night to 6:00am Saturday morning. On Saturday night, at 7:00pm, a full 24-hour curfew, a total lockdown, is reintroduced until Wednesday morning at 6:00am. This means a full 24-hour lockdown on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, continuing until Wednesday (8th April) at 6:00am.”

 “The security personnel reported that this has been effective, as there has been little or no breach of the current Curfew Order. Where this has occurred, the offenders have been arrested and will be charged and prosecuted. Irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated. 3 On Wednesday (8th April) and Thursday (9th April) next week, the Regulations will allow persons to leave their homes once more on a limited basis – I repeat, on a limited basis – to purchase any food and medicine between the hours of 6:00am and 7:00pm, while a curfew will be in place for Wednesday night from 7:00pm to 6:00am Thursday morning,” he added.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 31^st March 2020)-Individuals are being cautioned by the police to make sure that they are at home when the clock strikes 7PM tonight when the government’s 24-hour lockdown in tacking the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) officially begins.

“In order to stop the spread of the virus, it is important that we prevent/limit direct human to human contact. Persons are therefore asked to continue practicing social and physical distancing. Once the clock strikes 7 p.m. tonight, persons are expected to be in their homes until Friday, April 3^rd,” read a statement from the Police Public Relations.

“In reference to the previously issued announcement, we would like to make it clear that effective 7 p.m. today, March 31st a 24-hour curfew, that is a total lock down, will take effect until 6 a.m. on Friday, April 3rd. Once the curfew begins at 7 p.m. tonight, persons will not be allowed to leave their homes except for the security forces and other security personnel, the health care officers, technical emergency officers of utilities including telecoms, and media personnel, will be allowed out of their residences when they are on duty,” it was shared.

The local authorities further said: “In preparation for the lock down, persons are being asked to only leave their home if they absolutely have to do so to conduct any business necessary before 7 p.m., today, March 31, 2020. If you have to use an ATM, please utilise a machine in or closest to your area. If you have to buy groceries, you are being asked to do your shopping at establishments in your community or surrounding areas if possible. Remember, you will not be allowed to conduct any of these activities during the period of the lock down. Do not travel to Charlestown or Basseterre if you do not have to.”