Today Thursday August 26, 2021 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs confirms 177 new cases of COVID-19. These cases from a batch of 623 samples processed at the Ezra Long Laboratory on Wednesday August 25, 2021. These cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 7713.

The Ministry of Health also received confirmation of the recovery of 60 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This brings the total number of active cases currently in country to date to 1717. Three of these active cases are in critical care at the Respiratory Hospital.

Vaccination continues to remain as an effective measure to protect ourselves from the COVID-19 virus. Vaccines protect individuals from the severe form, complications, hospitalization and death from the virus. Saint Lucians now have a choice of vaccine: the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 959 first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been administered and 62 second doses have been administered. Individuals who received their first dose of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine in another jurisdiction can receive their second dose in Saint Lucia once the appropriate vaccination record can be presented to health officials.

Tomorrow Friday, August 27, 2021 the COVID-19 vaccines will be administered at the Jacmel Wellness Center, the Gros-Islet Human Resource Center, the Soufriere Hospital and the St. Anthony’s Medical Center at Gablewoods Sunny Acres. The vaccine is also available at the various wellness centers around the island free of charge. 

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing daily updates to the public as new information becomes available.

For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively.