Vincentians encouraged to get vaccinated amidst rising Covid cases locally

Local health authorities continue to encourage Vincentians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amidst rising cases locally.

As at May 30, there were 107 active COVID-19 cases in St Vincent and the Grenadines and this country is listed by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention as having a High Level of COVID19, which cautions persons against travel to the destination.

“We continue to encourage vaccination for those who haven’t yet received any COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for everyone who completed their initial COVID-19 vaccination course more than 5 months ago. The cases of Covid in vaccinated persons are predominantly in persons who were vaccinated and or boosted more than 5 months before the new infection,” Dr Simone Keizer-Beache, the chief medical officer told SEARCHLIGHT last week.

Of the four persons currently hospitalised, one is fully vaccinated and three are unvaccinated.

The overall positivity rate stood at 6.90 per cent, while the day’s positivity rate was 18.42 per cent.

The chief medical officer said local health authorities are particularly concerned that too many of the population with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease and sickle cell disease remain unvaccinated.

“These persons are at high risk for bad outcomes such as worsening of their pre-existing conditions if they are infected. Unlike the mild short illness experienced by persons who got COVID-19 during the December 2021/January 2022 spike, there is more and longer illness during this latest spike. Persons are taking longer to recover sufficiently to return to school or work,” she said.

Keizer-Beache advised that if an individual is exposed to a positive person, they should call their district clinic for advice on whether they should quarantine and for how long. Advice will also be given on if and when testing should be done.

She noted that all COVID testing for public health reasons is free at all public health facilities.

However, there is a cost attached to COVID-19 testing for travel purposes.

According to the health professional, a vaccinated person who is exposed to a positive person does not need to quarantine and can test for free at a clinic five days after exposure.

However, unvaccinated exposed persons must quarantine for seven to 10 days and test after.

Gathering protocols in SVG were repealed earlier this year, and since then many mass gathering events have and continue to take place.

This country is also expected to stage one of its biggest national festivals, Vincymas in coming months.

Keizer-Beache said that while the situation continues to be closely monitored by relevant authorities, there is still a need for persons to take “personal responsibility for staying healthy no matter what restrictions we might recommend”.

The CMO advised that persons safeguard their health and make wise choices which include eating healthy diets, staying active by engaging in safe outdoor activities that allow for fresh air and safe distancing and to continue wearing masks and sanitising hands and frequently touched surfaces in public transportation vehicles and public indoor spaces.

She also said persons should get boosted and vaccinated, and in the upcoming Carnival season, choose events that are outdoors or that cater for vaccinated persons only.