BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - PEOPLE in various quarters in St. Kitts and Nevis are expressing displeasure and frustration over an announcement made last evening (Feb. 3) that a COVID-19 positive individual was given the all-clear to check out of the quarantine facility.
The announcement of a mix-up that occurred over the weekend was made last evening at the NEOC media brief by Superintendent Cromwell Henry, who, while reinforcing the wearing of masks in public, explained that the lapse highlighted the need to follow the basic protocols.
Henry revealed that more than 20 people were placed in quarantine after the unnamed individual was allowed to leave and travel on public transportation.
“This particular lapse of which I speak resulted in a positive COVID-19 case being discharged from quarantine into the community via public transportation. As soon as this incident came to our attention, the COVID-19 Task Force activated its response mechanism immediately. The positive case was identified and quickly placed in isolation,” disclosed Henry.
Following the removal of the patient from his place of abode, rigorous contact tracing was undertaken and all of the identified contacts, he noted, were quarantined.
Included in the quarantine was the public service driver, who Henry emphasised, was not following the basic COVID-19 guidelines.
The Superintendent did not elaborate on what exactly was the lapse that resulted in the male patient being released from the quarantine facility. However, unconfirmed reports suggested that there might have been a mix-up with how the samples were taken and labelled.
That, according to the reports, resulted in one person receiving a positive result when it should have been negative.
Since the disclosure of the lapse, a review of the protocols was carried out and a number of changes were instituted to prevent a repetition of the incident.
“Contact tracing, in this case, is still ongoing along with a police investigation to determine whether or not criminal charges will be filed,” Henry disclosed.
Disclosure of the mix-up followed moves by officials to limit social gatherings at sporting events in the Federation.
A mandate was given to heads of various sports associations that no spectators are allowed into the venues during games or matches, which resulted in the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association being forced to postpone the President’s Cup that was slated for last evening at Warner Park.
However, the SKNFA is moving ahead with the start of the 2021 Premier League season tomorrow.
