Two Additional Suspected COVID-19 Admissions

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Sunday, 5 April, 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital wishes to advise members of the general public that there were two additional persons suspected of having COVID-19 admitted to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre over the past 48 hours.

On April 3rd 2020, a male resident in his 30’s presented with severe acute respiratory infection and had no recent travel history. On April 4th 2020, a female resident in her 20’s also presented with severe acute respiratory infection and met the case definition of suspected COVID-19. She had recently travelled to the United Kingdom. 

Both persons were transported to the emergency department via ambulance and are currently receiving supportive clinical care. The public health team was notified and samples were collected for overseas testing. Due to patient confidentiality no further details can be provided. A follow-up press release will be issued with an update on the results once available and the patients have been notified. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government - Ministry of Health Team commenced immediate contact tracing and persons identified in the process are required to undergo quarantine and/or screening as a precautionary measure. 

To date, there are three (3) persons suspected of COVID-19 under isolation and clinical management at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

Given the global COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians within the emergency department continue to operate with enhanced clinical suspicion in the screening and detection of persons who meet the latest case definition for COVID-19. 

Home quarantine is also an option utilized globally and locally for persons who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 under the appropriate circumstances, which can include the presence of mild symptoms who do not require medical care.