Twenty new cases of the Delta Variant recording in Saint Lucia which includes 14 locals and six visitors, 13 females and seven males ranging in age from three months to 77 years.
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-Georgethe information disseminated came from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
In highlighting the areas affected she said most local cases are from Anse La Raye and Dennery.
Saint Lucia has now recorded 71 cases of the Delta Variant in addition to 54 cases of the Alpha Variant.
Local authorities are therefore concerned about the impact of a fifth COVID-19 wave which means that Saint Lucia is at high risk for Omicron.
The CMO added that as of December 26, 2021, Saint Lucia had diagnosed 13,319 COVID-19 cases with 204 active cases presently.
The daily infection rate for the last seven days was 11.6 per 100,000 population per day, with a 7% testing positivity rate and a transmission rate of 1.9, the CMO added.
She said “We have noted a total of 292 COVID-19 deaths. We have 18 positive cases admitted at the Respiratory Hospital, two cases are critically ill, and two are severely ill,” the CMO said.
Belmar-George said “The transmission rate, test positivity rate, increased active cases, and the epidemiological wave depict the upward trajectory of the start of the 5th wave
The CMO cautioned that “December is our highest risk month for COVID-19 transmission she said and we understand the COVID-19 fatigue experienced by the population at this time and the nature of the festive season. However, it is important that we reduce the level of social activities and ensure compliance to all the public health measures. Health and safety must be our priority,”
