Contact tracing led to St. Kitts
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - AFTER three months of no recorded positive case of COVID-19, Nevis broke that streak last evening (June 14) when a male had his sample returned positive.
Confirmation on the positive result was made by Premier Mark Brantley in an address to the Nevisan public this morning.
“Yesterday evening, June 14, some 90 days since the last case was announced on March 16, Nevis recorded a single case of COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases on Nevis in the past 15 months to 15, with one active case and 14 recoveries,” Brantley disclosed.
He explained that the individual has no travel history and was identified through contact tracing from St. Kitts.
The individual, he said, is in isolation and is stable.
Contact tracing as a result of this new case has commenced with contacts being quarantined and tested.
Brantley added: “With some element of community spread occurring on our sister island of St. Kitts, the expert advice available to us was that we would eventually see cases on Nevis also”.
The Federal Government had recently implemented a two-week lockdown along with a nightly curfew to combat the spread of the virus.
With the new positive case, Premier Brantley reiterated his plea for citizens and residents to get vaccinated, as the current rate stands at 31 percent.
“I remind you as I do at every available opportunity to get vaccinated so that we can achieve herd immunity on Nevis and in the wider Federation. Vaccination is the only proven way out of this pandemic,” pleaded Brantley.
“As of yesterday, on Nevis, 31 percent of the target population is fully vaccinated which equates to 22 percent of the general population being fully vaccinated. Fifty-seven percent of the target population has received their first dose of the vaccine. These figures indicate that there has been an uptake of vaccination and we commend persons who have seen the importance of protecting themselves and their families. However, these figures also indicate that we have a long way to go to achieving herd immunity of 70 percent of our total population being fully vaccinated,” explained Premier Brantley.
Against that backdrop, Brantley noted that this is not the time for hesitancy as the virus has made its way into the homes of citizens and residents, while calling for a united fight against the pandemic.
“Our health centres are open across Nevis. Our nursing staff stands ready to assist you. The vaccines are available for free. Please, I beg of you, take 15 minutes of your time and get vaccinated today. The time for hand wringing and waiting is now over. COVID isn’t waiting. COVID isn’t debating. COVID isn’t paying attention to conspiracies. COVID isn’t pontificating on social media. No, COVID is now inside our beautiful island home and it has come to kill us. We must act now. We must act together. We must vaccinate today!”
Brantley said that until the island achieves herd immunity, “I continue to urge everyone to take the vaccine, but also to continue to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical measures.”
Among the non-pharmaceutical measures outlined were the wearing of masks covering both the nose and mouth when in public spaces, not the chin; wash with soap and water and sanitise your hands frequently throughout the day; and keep a distance of six feet or more between yourself and other persons.
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