With Region Two recording an increase in coronavirus cases, the Region’s Task Force will be taking the necessary actions to ensure that businesses and residents adhere to the COVID-19 measures, while calls continue for more persons to get vaccinated.
According to acting Medical Superintendent Dr Sheneer Reid, who is head of the region’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Team, although the number of infections keeps climbing, persons are still hesitant to get vaccinated to protect themselves.
Statistics shared by Dr Reid indicated that up to yesterday the region had recorded a total of 852 cases, with 19 deaths. She said 113 persons were in home isolation, one at the quarantine facility at Suddie and four were patients battling for their lives in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Liliendaal. The region recorded eight new cases as of September 5.
Dr Reid, who explained there is a system for referrals whenever Suddie Public Hospital cannot deal with the amount of cases in the region, urged the region’s residents to get vaccinated. Thus far, only 50% of the region’s adult population has received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The region has the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm vaccines and the first dose of the Sputnik-V vaccine for adults.
Meanwhile, Regional Chair-person Vilma De Silva is calling on residents to be more mindful and to take the necessary precautions against the virus. De Silva also said if persons do not take the vaccines then the cases will continue to increase in the region and if that happens then the region will likely have to close down.
“Having the vaccines, you are more prepared to battle the COVID. It’s not like you won’t get the COVID but when you get the COVID you would not be hospitalised with a heavy breathing problem that can cause death,” she said, while urging that residents be more careful.
De Silva also pointed out that it was observed that the region has a high influx of visitors during weekends and so the Regional Task Force will tighten measures to ensure that persons are honouring the curfew.
Additionally, she said the Task Force will be submitting a list of positive patients to the police, while there will be increased surveillance at popular bars. Persons who are found without a mask will also have to pay a $5,000 fine.
More sensitisation activities are planned in the region to educate persons about vaccines.
Persons who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are asked to call the region’s hotline on 609-0257. Those persons who have taken both doses of the vaccines are also asked to continue to wear their masks, sanitise and practise social distancing.
