COVID-19 update and press conference

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic and Attorney General Dale Marshall addressed the nation during a live press conference, July 23, 2021.

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Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic

• On July 12, there were 40 cases from 908 tests. A week later there were 7 3 06 tests with 82 positive cases.
• Positivity rate remains low – below 2 per cent.
• There were 11 positive cases from tests (1 675) done yesterday and today.
• There were four cases at Grantley Adams International Airport  – some from Ministry of Health and Wellness staff and some from staff of a private entity that do meet and greet at airport.
• All cricket players and staff – first COVID-19 test results came back negative.
• Over 400 people in quarantine who are primary contacts.
• Monitoring a situation where a group came back from overseas. That is a fluid situation and occupying the Ministry of Health’s time.
• In isolation facilities, no patients in primary or secondary isolation are vaccinated.
• A significant number between 14-16 have to be oxygenated.
• Urging people to take vaccine.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

• Ministry of Health says no need for lockdown.
• Curfew for two more weeks.
• Non contact training for three sports.
• Fraudulent documents will be subject to criminal procedures in court.
• Post entry audits will be done at airport. If documents cannot be verified they will be passed over to authorities.
• There are more than enough tests, more than enough capacity and medical personnel.
• Collective agreement with unions about vaccines, especially about hepatitis.
• Meeting next week with Social Partnership on uptake of vaccine policy regarding employees.
• Only a third of adult population has been vaccinated.
• More vaccines to come in August.

Hurricane Elsa response

• 2 177 house reports.
• Completed assessment of 1 391.
• 352 will have to be complete rebuilds.
• 960 will be repaired.
• Anything above 60 per cent repairs means a new house.
• 188 people require temporary accommodation
• Those who are below poverty line will be assisted by Government.
• Significant amount of work to be done.
• Contracts assigned: 19 new builds already in progress. 121 new builds to UDC and 160 by RDC.
• Government to purchase some prefab homes.