By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 18, 2020 (ZIZ News): Premier of Nevis, Hon. Mark Brantley says visits to the Seniors in care facility’s has been restricted to immediate family and caregivers to ensure that elders are protected from the rapidly spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19).
He was at the time delivering remarks during an address to update residents and citizens on Nevis about the measures in place to combat the spread of the virus pending a potential outbreak.
Brantley said, “In as much as seniors appear most susceptible to the worse impact of Covid-19, I have asked that with immediate effect large gatherings of our senior groups be suspended and that visits to the Flamboyant Home and the St George’s Anglican Home be restricted to immediate family or primary caregiver only.”
Mr. Brantley also announced that Church and religious group visits to the sick in hospital is also discouraged to protect those persons with pre-existing ailments.
“The Covid-19 virus appears to attack persons who are already sick with potentially disastrous consequences. I am well aware of the wonderful practice of our churches and religious groups to visit our hospital on Sundays to bring songs and prayers to the patients there. I accordingly crave the understanding of our church and religious community in temporarily suspending such group visits. I ask them nevertheless to offer their prayers for our sick and infirm as indeed I ask them to pray for all of Nevis”, he explained.
The premier said that he has instructed the Ministry of Social Development and the Seniors Division to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to “ensure that all seniors and persons with underlying high risk conditions across the island are visited and provided with accurate information”.
He also said that regular visits are necessary to monitor shut-ins or seniors living on their own.