All PCR COVID-19 tests done on the Carnival Cruise Line crew members who returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) on Saturday were negative, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said on Tuesday.
“The affected crew members will be released from quarantine within the next 24 hours after final medical checks,” NEMO further said in a press release.
NEMO said that health officials, on Tuesday, received results from 23 samples sent for COVID-19 tests one day earlier.
According to the results, a further three persons have recovered from the illness, 17 cases of which have been recorded in SVG.
“No new positive COVID-19 cases were reported. This means that there are now five active cases of COVID -19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” NEMO said.
On Saturday, Carnival Glory, a cruise ship, repatriated 92 Vincentian sailors.
Health officials placed six of them in quarantine at a state-run facility as two of them had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
Four other persons who had been isolated with those two sailors on the same ship were also placed in quarantine at the state-run facility.
In its press release on Tuesday, NEMO emphasised the importance of healthy habits in the fight against the viral illness.
NEMO said:
“The importance of maintaining the public health measures currently in place including hand hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distancing of at least 3-6 feet in public spaces and strict adherence to quarantine and isolation, continues to be stressed.
“Additionally, the correct and safe use of face coverings when physical distancing is not possible is recommended. These measures have proven to be very effective so far in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Am still laughing at the fact that SVG health officials have choose to isolate persons who developed antibodies for the virus. I have never heard of such foolishness.