By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 3, 2020 (ZIZ News): In an effort to prepare St. Kitts and Nevis for the possible outbreak of COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus, the Ministry of Health held a press conference to update citizens and residents about the illness on Monday morning.
During the press conference, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws assured that the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts is in a state of readiness to handle first case of Corona-virus.
She said several measures have been put in place to handle the onset of the virus. This includes conducting contact tracing training as of Tuesday, March 3 2020.
She said all incoming travellers from China, Moscow, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy and Iran must be directed to the health desk at the airport to provide travel information as well as contact information. These persons are subject to screening at the port of entry and may, if necessary, have their movements restricted either at home or other appropriate facility based on risk assessment.
Dr. Laws used the opportunity to reveal that more than 60 travellers have been screened at the Robert L Bradshaw International airport for the coronavirus.
She said, “A total of 63 travellers have already been screened by the health desk at the RL Bradshaw International Airport with the following outcomes: 3 asymptomatic persons have been quarantined at home, 6 asymptomatic persons have been quarantined at tourists facilities and 50 persons are being monitored daily by the Public Health Team”.
It was later revealed that there are no known confirmed cases of the virus in St. Kitts and Nevis at this present time.
Persons who are 80 years or older have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and chronic lung conditions like asthma have a higher risk of suffering severe symptoms of the disease.
These persons are advised to see their personal physician for assistance regarding their current status to determine their risk and to inquire about medication and that can help to boost their immune systems in the event of an outbreak.