It is encouraging to note that the World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to report a decrease in COVID cases – globally – over the past weeks, “and we are continuing to see that decline [in Anguilla],” Dr Aisha Andrewin, Chief Medical Officer, stated at Monday’s press briefing.
At last week’s press briefing, Dr Andrewin noted that WHO was reporting an uptick in deaths most likely attributed to the “revised definition of deaths” in certain countries.
This week, WHO is reporting that “the artificial spike [in deaths] has been rectified, and they’ve seen a 43% decrease in deaths – which is in keeping with the decrease in overall COVID cases,” Dr Andrewin observed.
As the virus lingers on, and health officials continue to monitor it, Omicron is still identified as the dominant variant of COVID-19 around the world, including Anguilla.
The Ministry of Health continues to remind residents on Anguilla that vaccination and boosters are possible safe ways to protect themselves from the virus, for the foreseeable future, and to further reduce the health protocols and travel regulations on the island.
Speaking on the issue, Premier and Minister of Health, Dr Ellis Webster, commended the health team for its hard work in implementing the health protocol measures, and getting the word out encouraging persons to get vaccinated.
He said: “People are happy with the lessening of the restrictions. We hope to keep progressing that as people show their ability to take COVID [seriously], and deal with it in a responsible manner.
“That’s where we are now as a society. We have to look out for our brothers and sisters, and our neighbours.”
Paediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine for persons age 5 – 17 have been suspended because of the shelf- life of the vaccine. The Ministry is awaiting the arrival of a new batch of the vaccine, and will resume the distribution process when it arrives.
Covid Statistics for Anguilla as of April 11
Confirmed Cases: 2,731
Recovered: 2,716
Active: 6 (3 are visitors on island)
Deaths: 9 (7 unvaccinated adults; 2 vaccinated adults with underlying risk factors; 6 males, 3 females)
