MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 UPDATE #24
The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 3rd April, 2020:
TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD NO NEW CASES SINCE YESTERDAY’S UPDATE, AS AT 2ND APRIL, 2020. 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.
TCI suspected cases of COVID-19 increased to ten (10): The ten suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission, contacts of a confirmed case, and persons presenting with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) (10). An infant experiencing SARI was admitted to TCI Hospital for care but has since passed away. All ten persons had met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19, those currently in quarantine/observation are experiencing symptoms. Samples have been collected and sent for testing, and we are currently awaiting results.
The increase in suspected cases is as a result of the infant which presented with symptoms (SARI) that met the case definition for COVID-19.
Persons under quarantine/observation (278)—The confirmed cases (5), contacts of a confirmed case (17), possible contact of a confirmed case (10), the suspected cases (9), symptomatic person/s under investigation (1), relatives/contacts of suspected cases (17), persons travelling from highly affected countries (2), TCI residents (217). Persons under observation/quarantine are either not displaying symptoms or have not meet the case definition for COVID-19.
The decrease in quarantine/observation numbers is primarily as a result of the expiration of the quarantine period for several individuals, they have been removed from quarantined status.
No new test results were received. To date, a total of twenty-seven (27) test results have been received, with twenty-two (22) confirmed negative and five (5) 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 Ministry of Health 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.
