Quarantine extended for Sandy Bay and St Thomas communities

The quarantine period will be in effect until September 2, 2020, the eve of the General Election.

In a release the ministry said the decision was necessary due “the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and a growing number of persons displaying symptoms in St. Thomas and Clarendon”.

The communities have been under quarantine since August 6 following a wave of positive cases. To date, the health ministry said it has conducted more than 300 home visits and collected over 700 samples there.

“Based on test results received, the ministry can now report that approximately 89 persons have been identified as being positive for COVID-19 in St. Thomas over the last three weeks. Forty-five of that number are within the quarantine area. The surveillance activities have also identified more symptomatic persons who have been tested and are awaiting results.

“This evidence points to continued transmission of the disease within these communities and, therefore, in order to manage the risks associated with COVID-19 and the spread within the parish, it has been agreed that the quarantine period for these communities, which should have ended on August 20, will now be extended to September 2, 2020,” the ministry stated.

In addition to the extended quarantine for the communities of the St Thomas, effective today (17 August 2020), Cabinet has also decided to:
• Increase the curfew period from the current 11:00 pm to  5:00 am to 7:00 pm to 5:00 am for the next 14 days;
• Disallow funeral services in the parish (however burials only will be allowed with the participation of no more than 15 persons in attendance); and
• Disallow weddings and all other public gatherings for the entire parish.

In Clarendon, the quarantine area of Sandy Bay and adjoining communities is also seeing new cases of persons with symptoms, the national health authority said. Its surveillance teams have covered more than 900 households, with more than 2,000 individuals interviewed.

“Based on the testing that has been done, some 22 persons have been identified as COVID-19 positive,” it revealed. 

“This scenario, too, represents a persistent threat to public health and forms the basis of the extension of the quarantine in the area. 

“We encourage all members of these communities to facilitate and cooperate with the health teams, as they visit your homes, places of work and other institutions to conduct these necessary actions to reduce the spread of the disease.”