By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 16th June 2021) — Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws has dismissed social media rumours that she recently submitted a resignation letter, declaring: “I’m on the job, I’m working, and it’s quite obvious that I haven’t resigned. Let us not be distracted. Let us move forward in our fight against this virus.” Dr. Laws has been employed by the Ministry of Health as CMO for almost five years.
Separately, Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) recorded its first confirmed COVID-19 case on June 10th after a resident’s test returned positive. By June 16th, 11 residents and 2 members of staff had tested positive. Commissioner of Corrections Terrance James said the affected persons are all in stable condition and receiving care in an established isolation area inside the prison. Physical visits to the prison, suspended since 2020, remain in place. Vaccination rates at HMP as of June 16th: just over half of staff have received a first dose (approximately 33% fully vaccinated); approximately half of residents have received a first dose (approximately 36% fully vaccinated). The management encouraged further vaccination and facilitated on-site vaccination with health officials. HMP said it is the last prison in the region to be infected with COVID-19.