By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 18th June 2021) — St. Kitts and Nevis recorded its first COVID-19 related death on Thursday 17th June 2021. Minister of Health Akilah Byron-Nisbett announced the development at a joint press conference between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Security that day, stating: “At about 12:14 PM, we received word that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has recorded its first death as a result of COVID-19.” She extended condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, who is understood to be a male.
“While we mourn the loss of our first citizen, my trust is that this will serve as a wake-up call for all. We have repeatedly said that we are not immune to the ravages of COVID-19 including severe disease and death,” Byron-Nisbett said. At the same briefing, the Ministry announced results of 28 additional positive tests — 26 at Her Majesty’s Prison and two in the general population — bringing total active cases to 208, with 12 hospitalisations (seven of whom had since been discharged). Health status as of Thursday 17th June: 186 active cases with 185 on St. Kitts and 1 on Nevis; 251 confirmed cases in total since March 2020.
The Health Minister urged all residents to change their behaviour during the two-week SOE: “We’re asking you to please follow the protocols — wear your face mask once you’re leaving home, practise good hand hygiene. COVID-19 is not going anywhere anytime soon, and we will have to learn to live with it. Vaccinated or unvaccinated, we need everyone to do their part in order for us to get out of this current situation and to ensure that we can continue to live with COVID-19 going forward.”