Testing equipment in Anguilla.
Equipment arriving from the UK.
ANGUILLA--With the arrival of equipment from the UK and the completion of on-line training the Health Authority of Anguilla can now accurately and quickly test for COVID-19. Two machines and testing kits are already on island and are operational.
Health Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maeza Demis-Adams praised the hard-working laboratory staff and said, “Testing is a vital component of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The acquisition of both the GenXpert and the Quanstudio PCR machines, testing kits, supplies and training will significantly enhance our ability to manage our local situation. The significance of our ability to conduct testing on island is remarkable. This milestone was made possible by the UK government including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Governor’s Office in Anguilla, and Public Health England, who have all been phenomenal in the support given to Health Authority of Anguilla during this health crisis.”
Minister of Social Development Evans McNiel Rogers said the UK had sent 90 kits for the GenXpert machine and some 3,360 for the Quanstudio PCR for the testing. The UK grant to the Health Authority for equipment and other requirements totals US $1.5 million. This is in addition to the supplies of personal protective equipment, disinfectants and more, that was received earlier.
Rogers also reported that five virus specialists from Cuba, two doctors and three nurses are expected in Anguilla. He said an additional anaesthetist is urgently needed and he is hoping that other staff may be available from the UK as the spread of the virus slows down there.
