NEW COVID-19 CASES

Eight (8) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from seventy (70) samples collected on  Thursday December 16th, 2021, resulting in a positivity of 11.4%. Ten (10) new rapid antigen  positive results were reported from flu clinics on December 16th, 2021. 

Eleven (11) new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from seventy-nine (79) samples collected  on Friday December 17th, 2021, resulting in a positivity 13.9%. Seven (7) new rapid antigen  positive results were reported from flu clinics on December 17th, 2021. 

Seven (7) new COVID-19 positive case was reported from one hundred and two (102) samples  collected on Saturday December 18th, 2021, resulting in a positivity 6.9%. Seven (7) new rapid  antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on December 18th, 2021. 

No new COVID-19 positive case was reported from twenty-three (23) samples collected on  Sunday December 19th, 2021. Two (2) new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu  clinics on December 19th, 2021. 

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS 

There are currently two (2) patients admitted for COVID-19 at the Argyle Isolation Facility. One  (1) patient is fully vaccinated, and the other patient is unvaccinated. Ten (10) patients are admitted  to the COVID-19 ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. One (1) patient is fully vaccinated  and nine (9) are unvaccinated. 

COVID-19 DEATHS 

Two (2) new deaths were recorded over the reporting period. A 52-year-old female, died at home  after a respiratory illness and tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday 17th December 2021 as part  of the postmortem assessment. This patient was determined to have died from a COVID  pneumonia. 

An 80-year-old male with no underlying conditions, tested positive for COVID-19 on December  18th, 2021, was admitted to the isolation ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and died later  that day of COVID-19 pneumonia. 

Both patients were unvaccinated. Their deaths bring the death toll from COVID-19 to seventy nine (79). 

COVID-19 SUMMARY 

Twelve (12) recoveries were noted over the reporting period. Five hundred and eighty-two (582)  cases are currently active and seventy-nine (79) persons with COVID-19 have died. Five thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four (5784) cases of COVID-19 and five thousand and one hundred and  twenty-three (5123) recoveries have been recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since March  2020.  

In view of the confirmed presence of the Delta, Mu and Gamma variants in the community and  the significant increase in the number of new infections, transmission, severe COVID-19 disease  and deaths, strict enforcement and compliance with all protocols and recommendations by  everyone is strongly recommended. The correct and consistent use of masks, avoidance of crowds,  physical distancing, proper hand sanitizing and immunization with available vaccines have all been  proven to significantly reduce the risk of being infected, getting sick and or dying from the  COVID-19 virus.