MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #37
The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 16th April, 2020:
THE TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD ONLY ONE COVID-19 DEATH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES REMAINS AT ELEVEN (11). Two confirmed positive cases are currently under hospital care.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO SUSPECTED CASES IN THE TCI. THE DECREASE OVER THE PAST 24hrs IS AS A RESULT OF TEST RESULTS RECEIVED WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE LONE SUSPECTED CASE WAS NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19.
QUARANTINE/OBSERVATION NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED TO 45. This includes: The active confirmed cases (patients in the TCI that are currently infected) (9), contacts of confirmed cases (16), indirect contacts of confirmed cases (12), person under investigation (1), relatives/contacts of person under investigation (5), and TCI residents returning from overseas (2). Persons under observation/quarantine are either not displaying symptoms or have not meet the case definition for COVID-19.
The change in quarantine/observation numbers is as a result of several factors: test results received, confirming that the lone suspected case was negative for COVID-19 – this individual and their contacts have been removed from quarantine/observation status. Also as a result of one individual being placed in quarantine/observation status for investigation; relatives/contacts of the individual under investigation has also been placed in quarantine/observation status.
On 1st April, 2020 the case definition for COVID-19 was amended for TCI; a travel history is no longer needed to fit the criteria. Given the closure of the TCI borders it is likely that new case would be as a result of local transmission.
OVER THE PAST 24hrs, THE TCI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) TEST RESULT, CONFIRMING THAT THE SUSPECTED CASE WAS NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19. As it currently stands, the TCI has received a total of eighty-three (83) test results, with seventy-two (72) confirmed to be negative and eleven (11) positive confirmations. Persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and their contacts, were moved from quarantined status and asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Those cases confirmed positive are in isolation with contact tracing aggressively continuing.
THE PUBLIC IS HEREBY REMINDED THAT LOCKDOWN MEASURES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED AND YOU ARE TO STAY AT HOME – ONLY LEAVING FOR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL UNDER THE SPECIFIED GUIDENCE.
The Ministry of Health ALSO takes this opportunity to remind the public of offenses committed under section 18 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 in regard to false Statements/information. You do not have to be the originator of the statement/information in order to be charged under the law.
Please note the following definitions:
- A suspected person is someone who meets the case definition as outlined by WHO and CARPHA - and is experiencing symptoms.
- A person in quarantine is an individual on island who has come from infected country(ies) or may have come in proximity to suspected or confirmed cases - and have not exhibited symptoms.
Let's continue to reduce the risk by: 1. Washing our hands for 20secs or more 2. Practicing social distancing 3. Prepare your home, office and other surroundings by following the advice of the Ministry of Health and other credible health agencies.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or call our hotline numbers, (649) 232-9444 and (649) 333-0911, if you or someone you know has symptoms or signs of COVID-19.
