The following is an update since the press release of Thursday, August 12th . An additional ten cases of COVID-19 were confirmed and are as follows:
• A fully vaccinated adult female visitor from Canada – she travelled with a fully vaccinated adult male returning resident and both were staying within his household. The party of two arrived on Anguilla on August 2nd, after having submitted negative pre-arrival tests – and tested negative upon arrival. She was tested on August 13th for onward travel and that test came back positive. She remains in isolation with mild symptoms. The remaining four members of the household were tested as part of the contact tracing investigation and tested negative. They remain under quarantine.
• Six fully vaccinated adults (three males and three females) from an identified cluster -the index case is a male returning resident who returned from Sint Maarten on August 2nd after having submitting negative pre-arrival tests and testing negative upon arrival. He was detected as part of the cluster investigation and is considered recovered at this time. All persons are under isolation; five are currently asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms. Contact tracing and investigation are ongoing.
• A fully vaccinated adult female visitor from the United States – she arrived in Anguilla on August 11th after having submitted a negative pre-arrival test and testing negative on arrival. She was tested on August 14 th for her return trip to the US and that test came back positive. She remains under isolation with mild symptoms.
• A fully vaccinated adult male resident, with no history of recent travel, tested positive on the morning of Sunday, August 15th, after having developed symptoms compatible with COVID19. To date, the source of his infection has not been identified and the investigation is ongoing. He remains in isolation with mild symptoms.
• A fully vaccinated adult male returning resident who returned from Sint Maarten yesterday afternoon tested positive upon arrival. He is asymptomatic and remains under isolation.
Six additional persons have recovered. This brings the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 to 137 of which 13 are active at this time. Additionally, more than 174 persons have been screened as part of contact tracing since August 8th . The prevention of local transmission of COVID-19 in Anguilla is the priority of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, early identification, isolation and treatment are the foundations of preventing widespread transmission of the virus. In light of these recent developments, while these cases are under investigation, the Ministry advises the following:
• Any persons experiencing symptoms compatible with COVID-19 such as flu-like symptoms, cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell… should isolate and call the Ministry’s hotlines 476-7627, that is 476 SOAP or 584-4263, that is 584- HAND
• Any persons who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should also call the Ministry’s hotlines 476-7627, that is 476 SOAP or 584-4263, that is 584-HAND
• Further to the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, persons in intergenerational households and households with unvaccinated persons should consider mask wearing inside the homes in addition to hygienic precautions. The Ministry of Health reminds the public to continue practicing hygienic measures to protect against COVID-19.
These include
• Frequent Handwashing – if water is unavailable utilize an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Covering coughs or sneezes with a disposable tissue or in the crook of a flexed elbow.
• Avoiding contact with persons who are ill with symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as fever or cough.
• Regularly cleaning surfaces and objects that are frequently touched or handled. Questions or concerns can be directed to the Ministry’s hotlines at 476-7627, that is 476 SOAP or 584-4263, that is 584-HAND.
The Ministry of Health will continue to provide timely updates through our media partners, our official Facebook page or at www.beatcovid19.ai.
