BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Federation yesterday (Nov. 23) recorded two additional cases of COVID-19, bringing to three the number of active cases on the twin-island.
That came about after the two returning nationals had their samples tested, which proved positive yesterday afternoon, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws.
The two positive cases arrived on Saturday (Nov. 21) on board an American Airlines flight out of the United States.
“So, in essence, we have two additional imported cases of COVID-19,” noted Dr. Laws.
“The two returning nationals have been in quarantine since arrival. The protocols that we have established have been adhered to and these protocols would have been followed along the corridor of containment between their arrival into the country at RLB International Airport and the hotel they are staying,” she revealed.
In light of the confirmation, health officials are now in the process of doing contact tracing for everyone who travelled on that flight to Basseterre.
“Contacts, meaning significant contacts, of these two cases are presently being interviewed. The significant contacts are placed in quarantine and they are being tested, and they will be monitored,” added Dr. Laws.
The announcement of the two latest cases comes several days after a male became the first person to test positive since the borders reopened to commercial flights on November 7.
The CMO reminded that all passengers entering St. Kitts and Nevis are subjected to quarantine, and those on the said flight are confined to their rooms for the duration of that period.
She went on to say that the contact tracing is being done because of the exposure from the airport facility that the positive persons started in the United States.
A leaked memo, reportedly from the Park Hyatt, cautioned staff about the latest cases and asked several departmental staff to remain at home.
Hotel sources reiterated that the positive cases are not at that holiday facility and it was just out of an abundance of caution, as it is believed that some of the passengers on the flight might have checked in at the location.
"On Saturday there were two individuals on the American Airline’s flight that have now tested positive for COVID-19. To be clear neither of these individuals are at our hotel.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Government has given the direct order that all guests are to remain quarantined to their rooms until their departure on Saturday.
"As a result, we are forced to cease operations in all departments with the exception of In-Room Dining," the purported document reads.
