The health care system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is stretched, but coping amidst the latest surge in COVID-19 cases.
Since Sept. 8, the country has recorded 2,395 cases of COVID-19, slightly more than it had recorded since the first case was diagnosed on March 11, 2020.
During that same time, the country had recorded 44 deaths almost four times as many as the entire period before.
As of Thursday, the country had recorded 4,786 cases of COVID-19 and 56 COVID-19 related deaths, while 2,974 people have recovered and 1,756 cases remain active.
“So far, though stretched, the system has been able to cope as we have already put certain measures in place in anticipation of the surge,” Minister of Health St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince told a press conference on Tuesday.
“This does not mean that the danger of being overwhelmed is not real. We have already converted two wards the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital into COVID-19 wards, and we have identified a third in case it is needed. This is in addition to our Argyle facility and our stepped down facility…” the minister said.
He said that the development has implications for the non-COVID patients and the ability of medical personnel to dispense care in the normal way.
“These have not been normal times, especially for our health services providers. And I wish to take this opportunity to thank and commend all staff for the wonderful work they have been doing in keeping the nation safe in this special period.
“Many of these workers have done double shifts at the various departments of the hospital, at Argyle, at the polyclinics and health centres, and even on the road with our vaccination drives.
Those of you who have stepped up to the plate in what is one of the most difficult periods in our short history, I applaud you and wish you continued strength as we continue to fight in this protracted war against this pandemic. I thank everybody who has been pulling their weight here at this time. Let’s look at the status now.”
The minister noted the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths across the country and encouraged people to get vaccinated.
“And the faces are getting more and more familiar to most people. And the deaths are getting closer to our families. I encourage all Vincentians to take all the precautionary measures including vaccination,” he said and extended condolences to the families of the nation’s COVID-19 victims.
“We continue to see an increase in hospitalisation for persons requiring care for COVID-19.”
He noted that the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca and the Pfizer vaccines are available in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Currently our vaccines are free of charge. Take it while you can get it free. While the numbers are increasing, we are still not where we need to be. We still are trying to get people to take the vaccine. It is important; it is free; it is available; it is accessible and it works…
“Those of you who are still sitting on the fence regarding vaccination take a look around you and observe the havoc the pandemic is having here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. People are getting sicker; others are dying; there is no school; the economy is suffering.
“Protect yourself, protect your loved ones, protect your country. Get vaccinated now; forget about those people who still look at you askance if you take the vaccine. It is in your interest. It is in the country’s interest,” Prince said.
All you need to do now Jimmy is put that to music and see if you got a hit. But at least we see you trying something out on the poor. But I read that in the Grenadines where private planes fly and foreigners own property they are making their own rules. They even private PCR lab technicians for guests flying in and out. Maybe you can make sure Sir James get some of the covid testing devices. The only thing wrong is how you performing the tune.
Jah kill them wid diseases, which was followed by laughter. Never Never heard any one of you condemned this , as usual dignified silences
What a bunch of people.
Unlike most other countries in the world, here in SVG it is TOTALLY not allowed to report health problems of those that are vaccinated. In most other countries that information is suppressed (to encourage people to get vaccinated) but in SVG it is INFORMATION SUPPRESSION AND MANIPULATION ON STEROIDS!
It seems it is the rule to say “unvaccinated” when reporting deaths. I have heard many people tell me that at least some of those people WERE CERTAINLY VACCINATED! Not to mention those that died soon after getting the vaccine, that died of “coincidence”. It should be a crime against humanity to encourage false reporting such information when it causes people to take the experimental drugs that could cause harm or death.I lost someone close to me from (just after taking) the vaccine. That was before it became the “rule” to say they were “unvaccinated”.
What is going on here (the misinformation) and in most places? The world is SICK in encouraging these experimental drugs! What is the purpose?
All this trouble is of the ULP own making. Jimmy yo tek the vaccine months ago, watch it, so you might still get covid19. Yo better go tek another shot. Some of the most ignorant people live in SVG.