Premier Webster
ANGUILLA--Premier Ellis Lorenzo Webster, joined by Permanent Secretary of Health Foster Rogers and Chief Medical Officer Dr, Aisha Andrewin, during the daily one-hour virtual press conference, provided updated COVID-19 infection rate numbers as well as the numerical status of persons receiving the vaccine. The infection remains classified as a cluster outbreak and is being aggressively tracked through contact tracing.
As of Wednesday, April 28, more than 1,000 persons have been tested and 60 cases confirmed consisting of 53 adults and seven children. All confirmed persons are in isolation and quarantine, but not hospitalised. Additionally, 6,599 have taken the first vaccine dose, and 1,833 of those have taken the second dose. The premier and the Health team continue to plead with all eligible persons to take the vaccine. They also asked anyone experiencing symptoms to get tested immediately so as to prevent further spread.
Rogers said, “We are eight days into this and we have a better idea of what is happening. We have done most of the contact tracing for the initial set of persons. For those people who feel sick and may be afraid to get tested, please do so. It doesn’t matter where you are from. This is a public health issue and we assure you that we will keep your information confidential. You will get the best information and advice and treatment if that is necessary.”
Webster urged everyone to follow the stay-at-home rules that are in place through May 6. He said the 60 positive persons must stay at home and isolate along with their family members. He stressed the importance of receiving the vaccine as a deterrent to further spread. This has been validated during contact tracing where family members who have been vaccinated are not testing positive, while those not vaccinated are testing positive.
The premier also addressed the areas of border security and price gouging of COVID-19 protection merchandise that was allowed duty-free into Anguilla from April through December 2020. It was determined that the cost savings was not passed on to customers, and consequently, the duty-free concession was stopped. Re-instating these concessions is being reconsidered along with the implementation of stricter oversight of pricing.
Stricter border control and surveillance is also being implemented along with stringent enforcement of fines and penalties being addressed through the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Webster said, “I want to assure you that the police and the Attorney General are investigating.”
The premier thanked the hard work of the Health team, especially the testing team and the police and surveillance teams. He said it is a public health emergency and if everyone follows the regulations, we will get through it. He urged everyone to stay home and get vaccinated. “Let’s do this for each other,” he said.
