SVG’s COVID death toll now 63

Three more people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have died of COVID-19, taking the total to 63.

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said on Monday that:

— A 36-year-old male who tested positive on Oct. 20, died on Sunday, Oct 24, following admission to the COVID-19 ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH). The deceased had no known underlying conditions and was unvaccinated.

— An 83-year-old female who tested positive on Oct.18 also died on Sunday, following admission to the COVID-19 ward at the MCMH. The deceased had a known underlying condition and was unvaccinated.

— A 90-year-old female who tested positive on Oct. 22 died today, Monday, following admission to the COVID-19 ward at the MCMH. The deceased had known underlying conditions and was unvaccinated.

These deaths follow four announced on Friday, namely:

— A 61-year-old male tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 10 and died at home on Oct. 21.

— An 86-year-old male died on Oct. 21, after testing positive for COVID-19 and admission to the COVID-19 ward at the MCMH on Oct.16.

— A 60-year-old female died on Oct. 21, after testing positive for COVID-19 and admission to the COVID-19 ward at the MCMH on Oct. 11.

— A 77-year-old male died on Oct. 21, after testing positive for COVID-19 and admission to the COVID-19 ward at the MCMH on Oct. 18.

On Monday, NEMO said that five new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from 146 samples collected on Saturday, resulting in a positivity of 3.4%. Five new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on Saturday.

Meanwhile, five new COVID-19 positive cases were reported from 91 samples collected on Sunday, resulting in a positivity of 5.5%. No new rapid antigen positive results were reported from flu clinics on Sunday.

As of Monday, there were nine patients admitted for COVID-19 at the Argyle Isolation Facility. All are unvaccinated.

Twenty patients are admitted to the COVID-19 wards at the MCMH. Of these, 16 patients are unvaccinated, two are partially vaccinated and two patients are fully vaccinated

Fifteen new recoveries were noted over the reporting period, leaving 1,774 active cases.

Since March 2020, SVG has recorded 4,860 cases of COVID-19 and 3,023 people have recovered from the illness.

NEMO said: 

“In view of the confirmed presence of the Delta, Mu and Gamma variants in the community and the significant increase in the number of new infections, transmission, severe COVID-19 disease and deaths, strict enforcement and compliance with all protocols and recommendations by everyone is strongly recommended. The correct and consistent use of masks, avoidance of crowds, physical distancing, proper hand sanitising and immunisation with available vaccines have all been proven to significantly reduce the risk of being infected, getting sick and or dying from the COVID-19 virus.”