Part 1 — 24 April 2020
Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis have to become accustomed to living with COVID-19. A safe and effective vaccine could be 12 to 18 months away, if at all. Before then, restrictions have to be lifted to prevent tsunamis of depression, hunger, anger and social unrest.
The first wave commenced in mid-March. Since then, more than two 14-day incubation periods have passed with only 15 confirmed cases — far below the explosive surge predicted by local models. This creates a window of opportunity to review and refine plans before the expected second wave hits.
WHO has recommended criteria for lifting restrictions: well-resourced capacities to detect, contact trace, contain, test, treat, protect the vulnerable, and effectively communicate. St. Kitts and Nevis’ second wave plan should prioritise strengthening health protection, border control, surveillance, comprehensive testing, workplace safety, and the social safety net. A truly national response requires an all-party, whole-of-society body mobilised now.