Ms. Rochelle Rogers and Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams
The Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Anguilla are fully geared up to combat the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, as the disease, for which there is no vaccine yet, has entered the neighbouring territories of St. Martin, St. Barths, Guadeloupe and the Dominican Republic.
In addition to the frequent advisories and updates given by Anguilla’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Aisha Andrewin, a press conference was held late Tuesday, March 3, at the Executive Council’s Chambers. It was to further warn about the virus; explain and stress what is being done by health officials in Anguilla; and to reinforce what are still the best measures to combat contracting and spreading the virus on the island.
The basic principles to reduce the risk of transmission of several respiratory infections, including the COVID-19, are the tried and true approaches to hygienic measures, the media representatives were told. These are: frequent hand-washing especially after contact with ill persons and their environments; covering of coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing; and avoiding close contact with persons suffering from acute respiratory illness. If there is also another matter to guard against it, it is to avoid rampant misinformation or fake news, as it is called.
Anguilla’s Minister of Health, Mr. Evans Rogers, commenced the press conference by giving background information about the COVID-19 which is particularly present in mainland China, Italy, South Korea, Iran and Japan – but which, by means of travel, can spread rapidly to the Caribbean and other parts of the world as it has already done. Along with him were the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andrewin; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers; Health Planner, Ms. Rochelle Rogers; and the CEO of the Health Authority, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams.
Minister Rogers stressed that early aggressive measures can stop transmission of the disease and can save lives. He went on: “At this juncture, even greater emphasis must be placed on early detection; management and infection control in healthcare facilities; and prevention through respiratory hygiene. In Anguilla, mechanisms have been in place for quarantine and isolation of persons as may be required. We continue to stay abreast with updated guidelines for early detection; diagnosis and management of cases – as well as infection control at health facilities.
“I want to especially make an appeal to the general public of Anguilla about the merits of prevention through hygiene. This remains the tried and true method to combat all respiratory tract infections including the COVID-19. This message has not changed and, in fact, is being amplified by agencies such as the Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation. We know that this virus is mainly spread through droplets from infected persons when he or she coughs, sneezes, or exhales.
“These droplets, lie on objects and surfaces around infected persons; and other persons catch the COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces – then touching their eyes, noses or mouths. It is the hands that are the main means of spreading this virus. Therefore, the combined efforts of the public and private sectors, households and individuals, are needed in practicing proper respiratory hygiene. This will be critical in averting the threat to Anguilla.”
The Minister further stated: “The international community is admonishing us that there is no need to panic because there is still much that we can do to stop the virus in its tracts. The onslaught of fake news, and misinformation associated with the COVID-19 threat, has been unprecedented and a real threat to efforts to get this situation under control. I am therefore asking the assistance of you, our media colleagues in Anguilla, in helping us to avoid the spread of misinformation and diligently seek out credible sources of information including the Ministry of Health in Anguilla. I am asking everyone to keep calm and wash your hands.”
On the question about the need for masks, hand sanitisers and other protective equipment, the Minister disclosed that “Public Health England, through the Governor’s Office in Anguilla, is looking into assisting us with personal protective equipment which will include masks and gloves etc.” He went on: “We are trying our best to source as much of the masks, and other personal protective equipment, as possible. As you know this is global and so the demand for these things would be astronomical.”
Replying to a question about what would be done if someone in Anguilla is diagnosed with the virus, Dr. Andrewin explained: “The protocols we are currently following are the adopted international World Health Organisation’s guidelines. You will note that there is no specific treatment or vaccines for the virus, so treatment is what we call supportive. We have adopted those protocols, and have the isolation mechanism in place, but persons would not be isolated in the hospital or other healthcare settings necessarily. In our first wave of response we have the mechanism to accommodate persons in the hospital. However, as numbers may or may not increase… persons exhibiting mild symptoms will be isolatable in their homes. Actually, the first case in St. Barths is an excellent demonstration – as that gentleman is at home recuperating nicely; and there are also cases in Mexico where persons are isolated at home.”
The Chief Medical Officer continued: “There are two distinctions between quarantine and isolation of persons. With quarantine, you are looking at well persons who may, or may not, have been exposed to the virus but or not symptomatic – and may or may not have been infected. Those persons will be observed for 14 days which cover the incubation period of the virus… and the isolation of persons speaks to more formal procedures typically at a healthcare facility or at private locations.”
Meanwhile, it has been arranged for port personnel in Anguilla to ask persons entering the island about their most recent travel history. They may also be asked some additional questions regarding their current health status. In order to assess travelers to Anguilla even more adequately, the Chief Medical Officer reported that she had undertaken to run checks on chartered boats and other cruise vessels entering Anguillian waters with persons on board.
The Health Authority’s CEO, Mrs. Demis-Adams, spoke about planned visits to schools, by nurses, to address teachers and children about protecting themselves from the COVID-19. On the other hand, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers, stated, among other matters, that plans were in place to obtain Human Resource services from the UK Government, through the Governor’s Office, to provide assistance to Anguilla.
The Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Anguilla are impressing on the people of the island that the COVID-19 “is a dynamic and rapidly-evolving situation. It is therefore prudent for persons to stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 outbreak in order to make informed decisions regarding overseas travel under the current circumstances.”
In the meantime, the people of Anguilla are being advised: “Don’t panic; stay calm; and wash your hands.”
