Continuation of the use of Oxford Astrazeneca Covid-19 Vaccine by Saint Lucia
Officials in the Ministry of Health and Wellness have taken the position to continue the roll out of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, despite suspensions in some European countries.
According to the World Health Organisation WHO, they are aware that as a precautionary measure, a few countries in the European Union have suspended use of a specific batch of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The World Health Organisation emphasizes on the need to note that “the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risk, and the vaccine can continue to be administered while investigation of cases of thromboembolic events is ongoing.”
The World Health Organization WHO is also aware of reports of a rare blood coagulation disorders in persons who have received the vaccine from that particular batch. It is emphasized that vaccination against COVID-19 will not reduce deaths from other causes. Deaths from other causes will continue to occur, including after vaccination, but casually unrelated.
The World Health Organisation Global Advisory Committee remains committed to systematically reviewing any vaccine safety signals and concerns related to COVID-19 vaccine safety. The Committee will meet every two weeks to advise the World Health Organisation on any new safety signals and concerns related to COVID-19 vaccine.
The Ministry of Health assures the public that the decision made in regard to the COVID-19 vaccine is in the best interest of the population. We will continue monitoring the investigation and provide updates as received.
For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively
Keynote speaker Mrs Ethnie Miller- Simpson, Chief Growth Officer & CEO of Zinergy International, sharing inspirational words with the audience.
Caribbean Examinations Council® Launches Strategic Plan for 2021 – 2025
On Friday, 29 January 2021, the Caribbean Examinations Council® (CXC®) launched the organisation’s Strategic Plan for 2021 – 2025 at the Pegasus Hotel in Jamaica, to staff and specially invited guests, including former Governor General of Jamaica and former Chairman of CXC®, Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, now Chancellor of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, (UCC). The five-year plan entitled “Committed to our people – shaping our future”, was ratified at the 53rd annual governance meeting of the CXC® Council (The Board), which was held virtually on 4 December 2020.
At the launch event, Dr Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Chairman of CXC® Council, shared the strategic objectives of the plan and their significance. Stakeholder partners including: Dr Grace McLean, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, who represented the Honourable Fayval Williams, Minister of Education, Youth and Information; Mr Dexroy Martin, Senior Negotiating Officer of the National Workers’ Union of Jamaica and Mr Keone James of CXC®, representative of the Principal Staff Association of CXC® and the Barbados Workers’ Union, also shared their perspectives and support for the Strategic Plan. The programme was rounded out with a motivational keynote address by Mrs Ethnie Miller Simpson, Chief Growth Officer & CEO of Zinergy International, who encouraged staff to “rise up and be extra” in everything they do.
Dr Wesley disclosed the vision for stakeholder engagement to those in attendance and viewing online, “We recognise that CXC® can no longer see itself as an individual entity but a part of a regional enterprise within which we must recognise and collaborate with those critical partners that are important for us in moving forward. Such collaboration will be executed within an inclusive, decision-making framework where we recognise that whatever we ought or want to achieve, such achievement can only be fully appreciated when we’re all on the same page.”
The emerging regional enterprise will be Integrated – working collaboratively with all stakeholders, Flexible – being able to adjust to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of its stakeholders, Responsive – demonstrating the capacity to remain relevant and innovative, and Proactive – anticipating and actively addressing challenges.
In his address, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles reflected, “We have been tested in 2020 and continue to be tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have learnt many important lessons from the perspective of strategy, flexibility and agility and those lessons have been taken to heart. But we have remained steadfast, and this strategic plan will take us into the future with even greater alacrity, while we maintain the dignity of this noble institution.”
The new strategic plan was developed to direct CXC’s transformation for greater regional impact. The organisation’s strategic management approach will ensure that the Council is repositioned as a digitally transformed enterprise providing quality, relevant and globally recognised educational services.
Dr Grace McLean expressed in her address, “The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is indeed pleased with the strategic direction that the Caribbean Examinations Council® has decided to take over the next four years. This is an important move by the regional examination body for secondary level exit examinations and complimentary services, as we seek to be more efficient and effective in the provision of these services.”
During the event, partnerships were also formalised with The University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica and the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) by way of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). These MOUs will allow students with CXC® qualifications to receive transfer credits at tertiary institutions and between CXC® and the signing institutions, there will be cooperation on curriculum and assessment development, training and research. Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President of UTech, Jamaica and Dr Donna Powell-Wilson, Executive Director of the CCCJ were on hand at the event to sign the MOUs and deliver remarks.
Saint Lucia confirms SARS-CoV-2 British variant in country
On Sunday January 24, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness received confirmation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA of 5 cases of the SARS-Co-V-2 British variant diagnosed in country.
Two of the cases are British nationals who were diagnosed on December 17th and December 23rd, 2020. The other three cases are St. Lucian nationals from the Dennery, Micoud and Babonneau districts and they were also diagnosed in December 2020. All five cases have since made a full recovery from the COVID-19 virus.
On December 14, 2020 the United Kingdom Public Health Agency reported a variant of SARS-CoV. The identified strain had been in circulation from September 20, 2020 within the United Kingdom. The virus has since been detected in Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia but the risk of importation into the Caribbean and rest of the world was rated as high due to incoming travel from the United Kingdom and Europe. Cases of this new strain have since been confirmed in Caribbean islands including Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.
It is known and expected that all viruses constantly change over time. As such, it had been anticipated that this would also obtain with the COVID-19 virus. Studies conducted in the United Kingdom on this new variant of the virus suggest that it increases the rate at which the virus spread. This is estimated as increasing as much as up to 70%. The United Kingdom has noted.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched the Adaptation Action Coalition, partnering with Saint Lucia, and Egypt, Bangladesh, Malawi, the Netherlands and the United Nations, to tackle the impacts of climate change.
The new Coalition will work to turn international political commitments made through the United Nations Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience, into on-the-ground support for vulnerable communities.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at the Adaptation Summit:
“It is undeniable that climate change is already upon us and is already devastating lives and economies. We must adapt to our changing climate, and we must do so now.
“I’ll be making the need for a resilient recovery a priority of the UK’s G7 presidency this year. To make sure we get not just warm words but real change, I am today launching an all-new Adaptation Action Coalition to set the agenda ahead of COP26.
“Let’s work together to adapt, to become more resilient, and to save lives and livelihoods all around the world.”
COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said:
“We know that the most vulnerable are at the greatest risk from climate change, and that they have done the least to cause it. Action to address this and build resilience is needed now, before more people lose lives or livelihoods.
“I am calling on all countries to come forward with ambitious adaptation plans. This important new coalition will crucially focus minds around the world to accelerate adaptation delivery in the areas most in need.”
The Coalition will draw on the world-wide expertise of scientists, businesses, civil society and more, and will act as a forum for developing and developed countries to share knowledge and best practice on local, regional and global solutions to deal with climate change.
The UN High-Level Climate Champions’ Race To Resilience campaign and the new Dutch-led Adaptation Action Agenda will help the Coalition host a series of sector specific events, bringing together governments, the private sector, communities and funders to deliver action to safeguard people and economies from the impacts of climate change.
The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of gasoline, diesel, LPG 20, 22 and 100 lb cylinders has changed. The retail price of kerosene remains unchanged. The price change takes effect from Monday, January 4, 2021.
GASOLINE increased from $2.67 to $2.73 per litre or $12.13 to $12.41 per gallon
Kerosene remains unchanged at $1.36 per litre or $6.18 per gallon
Diesel increased from $2.46 to $2.56 per litre or $11.19 to $11.64 per gallon
20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) increased from $28.41 to $28.94 per cylinder
22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) increased from $31.25 to $31.84 per cylinder
100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) increased from $171.03 to $176.33 per cylinder
The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, January 25, 2021.
On World Climate Day, Wednesday, December 8, 2020, from 09:00 – 17:00 hrs. (AST), the first ‘Karayib Klima’ virtual seminar on climate change resilience is organised by UNITE Caribbean.
Themed “Climatic Resilience in the Caribbean: action for a regional, multi-stakeholder approach”, the event seeks to find answers to the question how we can adapt, together, to effectively deal with the effects of climate change in the region.
During the online meeting, recognised experts will be presenting the most recent data on the expected effects of climate change in the Caribbean, including Dr. Kénel Délusca, principal author of the special IPCC report on Climate Change and Land, and rapporteur of the UNFCC Latin America and the Caribbean consultative group of experts, Prof. Saffache of UAG (Université des Antilles), and Dr. James Fletcher, who led the Caribbean’s delegation for the 2015 Paris Agreement, and who spearheaded the region’s ‘1.5 to stay alive’ climate change campaign.
Climate change is already a reality for the Caribbean, as its effects are felt daily. Storms, droughts, rising sea levels and increased health risks. This year the ‘National Hurricane Center’ recorded a well above average storm activity with 30 named tropical storms, including 13 hurricanes. However, to face this common threat, there are few co-operation mechanisms and few exchanges between civil society organisations of the different countries and territories on the issue of climate resilience in our region.
Therefore, the ‘Karayib 004Blima’ programme was created by UNITE Caribbean, a regional consultancy firm based in Guadeloupe, F.W.I., and funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and ADEME, the national French agency of ecological transition. ‘Karayib Klima’ is unique in promoting collaboration and partnerships between civil society organisations in 7 Creole speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean, including Dominica, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Grenada, Martinique, St. Lucia and St. Martin.
According to Damien Bauchau, co-founder of UNITE Caribbean and director of the ‘Karayib Klima’ project, “Climate resilience is at the heart of regional co-operation issues in the Caribbean, and yet few common actions are taken. We look forward to working with Civil society organisations and to forge alliances for the ‘Karayib Klima’ project by sharing best practices, innovations and solutions to increase climate resilience.”
The Public is hereby notified that in keeping with changes in international oil prices and Government’s application of the modified market pass-through petroleum pricing mechanism, the retail price of diesel, LPG 20, 22 and 100 lb cylinders has changed. The retail price of gasoline and kerosene remains unchanged. The price changes take effect from Monday, November 2, 2020.
GASOLINE remains unchanged at $2.67 per litre or $12.13 per gallon
Kerosene remains unchanged at $1.24 per litre or $5.62 per gallon
Diesel increased from $2.28 to $2.33 per litre or $10.37 to $10.61 per gallon
20 Pound Cylinder (9.07 kg) decreased from $28.07 to $27.78 per cylinder
22 Pound Cylinder (9.98 kg) decreased from $30.87 to $30.55 per cylinder
100 Pound Cylinder (45.36kg) decreased from $166.53 to $163.61 per cylinder
The Public is informed that the next adjustment of the retail price of fuel products will be on Monday, November 23, 2020.
Saint Lucia Announces Updated Quarantine Policy and Support Plan for Returning Nationals and Residents
From March 2020, The Government of Saint Lucia through its COVID-19 response efforts established quarantine facilities at five local hotels and ensured over a four-month period the safe repatriation and accommodation of 844 Saint Lucian nationals.
To date, the Government has accommodated a total of 2,261 individuals at its Public Health Facilities, including repeat travelers. Government’s expenditure for the national COVID-19 response to date, tallies at over $10 million.
The Government of Saint Lucia’s response includes the refurbishment of the Victoria Hospital into a Respiratory Hospital, increased marine policing operations, hosting of the Cuban Medical Brigade, establishment and operation of respiratory clinics, daily transportation to quarantine sites, COVID-19 testing requirements, Personal Protective Equipment and other key areas.
While the Government continues to cater to, and cushion the needs of returning nationals, at this juncture it is also prudent for the Government to focus on other critical areas in continued preparation for any uncertainties with the ongoing pandemic. The Government of Saint Lucia has announced that with the continued responsible phased reopening approach of the travel sector, effective October 15, 2020, daily fees associated with the mandatory quarantine period outlined for returning nationals and residents at State Operated Quarantine Facilities will be the responsibility of the traveler.
The daily fees cover the cost for all amenities including a bed and bathroom, Air Conditioning, Wi-Fi, 3 meals per day, toiletries, and bottled water. Single occupancy USD $95.00, Double occupancy USD $165.00, Triple occupancy USD $240.00. Double and triple ccupancy applies to families within the same unit.
Acknowledging the nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Applications for Exemption of Payment can be accessed on www.stlucia.org/covid-19. Exemptions would be granted to students returning home within three months of completion of studies, and to persons who have travelled for medical care. The Government will also consider dire socio-economic and other related circumstances including the loss of immediate family members (mother, father, brother sister, son, daughter, grandparents) and the forced repatriation of nationals. Supporting documents must accompany all applications.
During the quarantine period, all returning nationals will be swabbed for COVID-19 testing on the seventh day. Those who have received a negative PCR result and meet the criteria to thereafter be quarantined at home as determined by the Health Authorities, would be granted permission to do so with the wearing of an Amber Solution watch and a BioIntelliSense sticker at a one-time cost of EC$260.00. The Amber Solution watch will be rented for the period and will be mapped to the individual(s) residential perimeters. The BioIntelliSense sticker is for a one-time use and will also monitor vital signs.
Being mindful that the State regulated quarantine period is 14 days, those who do not meet the requirements to leave State Quarantine will need to ensure their payment for accommodation is made for the full 14 days.
Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will be immediately transferred to the Respiratory Hospital for treatment and care.
14-day Home Quarantine will apply strictly to minors, persons with health conditions and those with specific conditions. Applications can be accessed online at www.stlucia.org/covid-19. Permission will be granted by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer after careful review of all applications. These individuals will also be required to wear the electronic monitoring devices at the abovementioned cost.
Returning nationals from all international jurisdictions must note the following:
Check with the airlines for flight schedules.
Secure your reservation and facilitate payment for accommodation at a Government Operated Public Health Facility by accessing the booking portal located on www.stlucia.org/covid-19. All fees must be paid directly to the Quarantine Facility.
If you have applied for quarantine payment exemption, please await confirmation of approval from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. A 7-day wait period is necessary to facilitate applications.
Once State Quarantine arrangements have been confirmed, prefill the Travel Registration from located on www.stlucia.org/covid-19. You must do so no less than 3 days prior to travel. Print and travel with the Authorized Travel Registration.
Obtain and upload a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Negative COVID-19 Test within 7 days of Travel into Saint Lucia. Please ensure that the result indicates PCR. You must Travel with a Copy of your Result.
Upon arrival into Saint Lucia, the wearing of a mask is mandatory.
All arriving persons will be screened at the Port of Entry and assessed for any signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
After advancing to immigration and customs, you will be guided to the designated Government Operated Transportation for transfer to the Public Health Facility.
At the Public Health Facility, you will be screened daily by Healthcare Professionals. You are permitted to receive items from friends and family. However, you are not permitted to deliver items to anyone until your full 14-day quarantine period has come to an end.
The Government of Saint Lucia wishes to remind nationals and residents that only essential travel is encouraged at this time.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a safe experience for all.
More information about Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 response, travel requirements, quarantine and payment exemption application forms can be found at www.stlucia.org/covid-19.
Today, Wednesday October 14, 2020 Saint Lucia recorded 2 new cases of COVID-19. The individuals are a couple, a 38 year old female and a 47 year old male of Castries. They both developed respiratory signs and symptoms which led them to seek care at a Community Respiratory Clinic on Monday October 12, 2020 where they were treated for their symptoms and tested for COVID-19. At that point they did not report risk exposure to COVID-19. As per protocol, they were sent home for isolation, awaiting results. Upon receiving their confirmed COVID-19 results, arrangements have been made for their transfer to the Respiratory Hospital for care.
Their son who is a secondary school student shall be assessed and tested for COVID-19 and placed in quarantine. The class mates and teachers shall also be assessed and will be kept in home quarantine until his test results are received. Contact tracing has commenced for the possible contacts of these 2 new cases.
Saint Lucia has now recorded a total of 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 27 of the confirmed cases have recovered and reintegrated into their communities, currently there are 4 active cases in care at the Respiratory Hospital. A total of 8,654 tests have been conducted to date.
At this point, to maintain the gains achieved so far, and given the new risks introduced by these new cases, and maintain public health and safety it is imperative that each and every one of us play our part to keep our most vulnerable safe. This includes the use of masks in all public places, keeping a safe distance from others, avoiding mass crowd activities and social activities, maintain the infection prevention and control measures including at home, work, avoiding contact with others with respiratory signs and symptoms as well as or seeking immediate care if you develop have these signs or symptoms.
The five community respiratory clinics remain open for persons who present signs and symptoms. The 311 information hotline is available to help address COVID related questions and concerns. The treatment and care for COVID-19 related conditions remain free of charge to the public.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates as new information is received.
For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5325 respectively
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labour wishes to inform motorists and the general public of the IMMEDIATE closure of the Union-Grande Riviere-Marisule Road, from the Grande Riviere Bridge to the Corinth Bridge (Next to T J`s Supermarket).
This closure is necessary to allow CO Williams Construction to undertake asphalting of the road surface.
These works will improve the ride quality of the road surface while reducing dust within the project site.
Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes and kindly corporate with traffic control personnel on site.
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labour apologises for any inconveniences resulting from the road works and thanks members of the public for the patience and continuous support.
