MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #14
The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12pm on 26th March, 2020:
TCI recorded its second confirmed case of the COVID-19 novel Coronavirus, and the individual is now receiving medical care at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to continue emphasizing the need for public calm during this time.
There was a decrease in suspected cases, as the TCI recorded 10 suspected cases of COVID-19: Tourist visiting the country (1). The other nine suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission and contacts of a confirmed case (9). All 10 persons met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19, thus they are experiencing symptoms. Samples have been collected and sent for testing.
The decrease in suspected cases is due to test results received, where one suspected case has now been confirmed positive and another suspected case confirmed to be negative for COVID-19.
Persons under quarantine/observation (298)—The confirmed cases (2), contacts of a confirmed case (10), possible contact of a confirmed case (21), the suspected cases (10), persons under investigation for having contact with persons travelling from highly affected countries (1), relatives/contacts of suspected cases (21), persons travelling from highly affected countries — UK, Austria & Spain (6), TCI residents (227). Persons under observation/quarantine are all not displaying symptoms or have not meet the case definition for COVID-19.
The decrease in quarantine/observation numbers over the past 24hrs was primarily as a result of TCI of test results received which confirmed that a suspected case did not have COVID-19, and their contacts subsequently being moved from quarantine status.
A total of twelve (14) test results have been received to date, with twelve (12) confirmed negative and one (2) positive confirmation. As stated above, persons confirmed not to have COVID-19, and their contacts, have been moved from quarantined status and asked to continue following proper guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Those confirmed positive cases are in isolation with contact tracing aggressively continuing.
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.
