The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12am on 3^rd April, 2020:

TCI CONTINUES TO RECORD NO NEW CASES SINCE YESTERDAY’S UPDATE, AS AT 2^ND APRIL, 2020. On 1^st 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.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI GOVERNMENT AND TCI HOSPITAL 

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 3 April 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital wishes to advise members of the general public that test results for a middle-aged male resident who was suspected of COVID-19 and passed away on March 23^rd 2020 at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre have returned as negative. 

The inpatient case was originally mentioned in a press release issued on March 25^th 2020 to advise the public that a posthumous test result for the male was still pending at the time. 

Given the latest development, the family of the deceased was formally notified of the negative result and his passing is likely attributed to natural causes. 

The Ministry of Health and TCI Hospital continues to extend our deepest condolences to the family on the loss of their loved one. To date, the Turks and Caicos Islands have no confirmed COVID-19-associated deaths.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 3 April, 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is saddened to advise that an infant passed away shortly after admission to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

The infant was transported to the facility via private vehicle on 2nd April 2020. She was admitted to the inpatient unit around midnight in critical condition. Although COVID-19 infection is statistically rare in this age group, given the presence of the pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, she was classified as a suspected case and met the latest case definition of COVID-19. There were other medical findings, which also could have potentially accounted for the infant’s passing.

The public health team was notified and a sample was taken as a differential for posthumous overseas testing. Due to patient confidentiality no further details can be released.

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. The Department of Social Development has also been engaged as per protocol. TCI Hospital and the Ministry of Health wishes to offer our most heartfelt condolences to the grieving parents. Further support and guidance have also been provided.

A travel history is no longer needed to meet the criteria for COVID-19 given the closure of national borders. A suspected case is someone who meets any of the following revised case definitions:

(a) A patient who presents with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation.

(b) A patient who presents with any acute respiratory illness and having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms.

(c) A patient who presents with severe acute respiratory infection - fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness breath) and requiring hospitalization and with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation.

A probable case is a suspect case for whom testing for COVID-19 is inconclusive. A confirmed case is a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 contagion, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms. The Ministry of Health is working closely with the TCI Hospital in regard to the matter.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI HOSPITAL AND TCI GOVERNMENT

(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 2 April, 2020): The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital wishes to advise that there was another admission of a suspected COVID-19 patient at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. 

On April 1st 2020, a middle-aged male who is now classified as a suspected case of COVID-19 was admitted to the facility. This classification was made on the basis that the patient presented with severe acute respiratory infection and had no recent travel history.

The patient was transported to the emergency department via private vehicle. The patient is currently receiving supportive clinical care. The public health team was notified and a sample was collected for overseas testing. Due to patient confidentiality no further details can be released.

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. 

A travel history is no longer needed to meet the criteria for COVID-19 given the closure of national borders. A suspected case is someone who meets any of the following revised case definitions: 

(a) A patient who presents with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation. 

(b) A patient who presents with any acute respiratory illness and having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. 

(c) A patient who presents with severe acute respiratory infection (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, shortness breath) and requiring hospitalization and with no other etiology that fully explains the clinical presentation.​​​

A probable case is a suspected case for whom testing for COVID-19 is inconclusive. ​​A confirmed case is a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 contagion, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.

The Ministry of Health is working closely with the TCI Hospital in regard to the matter. 

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12pm on 2^nd April, 2020:

Over the past 24hrs, THERE HAS BEEN NO NEW CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES RECORDED IN THE TCI. On 1^st 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 nine (9): The nine suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission and contacts of a confirmed case (9). One (1) individual is experiencing severe symptoms and has been admitted to TCI Hospital for care. All nine persons met the WHO case definition for a suspected case of COVID-19, thus they are experiencing symptoms. Samples were collected and sent for testing, and we are currently awaiting results.

The increase in suspected cases are as a results of individuals (2) displaying symptoms and meeting the case definition for COVID-19.

Persons under quarantine/observation (291)—The confirmed cases (5), contacts of a confirmed case (18), possible contact of a confirmed case (12), the suspected cases (9), symptomatic person/s under investigation (1), relatives/contacts of suspected cases (18), persons travelling from highly affected countries — UK, Austria & Spain (5), TCI residents (223). 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 over the past 24hrs.

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.