The Ministry of Health Agriculture Sports and Human Services wishes to advise the public about the change in the Primary Health Care clinic hours commencing on March 30^th 2020 for the next 21 days. 

Clinic hours:

Grand Turk - 8:00 am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday.

Middle Caicos and Salt Cay - 8:00 am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday.  Emergencies only after closing time.

South Caicos and North Caicos - 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday.  Emergencies only after closing time.

Providenciales - 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday Blue Hills Community Clinic and Cheshire Hall Medical Center. Extended clinic hours at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Saturday. 

The following changes also applies:

• The number of persons seen at the clinics during this time will be reduced to avoid crowded waiting areas, thereby ensuring social distancing is practiced. Strict triage of clients will be enforced. Persons experiencing coughs and fever should contact the department through the hotlines and avoid approaching health care facilities without prior notification.
• Child Health Clinics: No more than 10 mothers will be allowed in the waiting area at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center clinic on immunization days.  Only babies who are due their 6 months, 1 year and 2-year vaccine will be seen in the clinic. 

1. The mobile clinic will visit the community for immunization for children of other ages in Providenciales.  No more than 3 mothers with infants will be allowed in the waiting room in the other primary care clinics.  Only the child that needs to be immunized must come to the clinic along with their parent.

• Prenatal clinics will be reduced to High Risk patients only; these clients will be contacted and given an appointment. 
• No routine medicals will be done during this time.
• Clients are encouraged to ensure refill prescriptions are obtained when they are on their last week’s supply of medication.
• Any health concern can be discussed via telephone for further guidance.
• Clinic Contact Numbers are:

• Salt Cay 232-6970
• Grand Turk 338-54617
• South Caicos 232-3216
• Middle Caicos 232-6145
• Bottle Creek 342-6857
• Kew 946-7397
• Blue Hills 946-5613
• Cheshire Hall 338-5474
• Clients can contact the Health Hotline at 232-9444 or 333-0911 between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm for COVID19 related advice. Alternatively, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/ for up to date information and guidance.

This afternoon, 28^th March 2020, three (3) additional results were received from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory. Of these results, one (1) was positive and the other two (2) were negative. The positive case brings the total number of positive cases in TCI to five (5). The affected individual has been in quarantine and has been informed of their result. The Public Health team will continue to follow up with this individual and their contacts. This individual had a history of recent travel to an affected country.

The Ministry of Health’s dashboard will be updated to reflect these results tomorrow. 

The Ministry of Health continues to advise the general public to practice enhanced hygiene and social distancing at this time. Everyone has a role to play in keeping one another safe. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, for 20 seconds each time, and practice cough and sneeze etiquette by covering your cough/sneeze. 

If you experience cough, fever or shortness of breath, please call the Ministry of Health hotlines on 333 0911 or 232 9444 for advice and support. Continue to visit the Ministry of Health’s website https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/ as your reliable source for further information.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that as at 12pm on 28^th March, 2020:

TCI recorded two (2) additional confirmed positive cases of the COVID-19 novel Coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed positive cases to four (4). These two new positive cases are contacts of the first two cases and were already in quarantine. 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 9 suspected cases of COVID-19: The nine suspected cases are TCI residents returning from countries with local transmission and contacts of a confirmed case (9). All nine 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 for COVID-19.

Persons under quarantine/observation (296)—The confirmed cases (4), contacts of a confirmed case (13), possible contact of a confirmed case (14), the suspected cases (9), persons under investigation for having contact with persons travelling from highly affected countries (1), relatives/contacts of suspected cases (23), persons travelling from highly affected countries — UK, Austria & Spain (5), 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 the result of test results received, which confirmed that a suspected case and one person quarantined were confirmed positive for COVID-19; and the quarantine period expired for several persons under observation.

A total of sixteen (16) test results have been received to date, with twelve (12) confirmed negative and four (4) 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.

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.

Today the Ministry of Health reports two additional new cases of COVID-19 in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the Turks and Caicos Islands to four. Of note, the two new cases of COVID-19 are contacts of the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19. These individuals were already in quarantine and have been notified. The Public Health Team will be supporting both individuals as well as expanding their contact tracing. It is expected that with additional testing, more cases will be identified. With the implementation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (Amendment) Regulation 2020 Legal Notice 18 of 2020, it is anticipated these additional measures will act to help contain COVID-19 further by enforcing curfews, social distancing and other measures.

Prevention efforts must continue therefore basic hygiene measures should be stepped up. These include practicing the following measures;

1. Washing of hands with soap and water frequently.
2. Covering your cough is a must either by coughing into your flexed elbow or using a tissue that you properly dispose of.
3. Avoiding close contact with ill persons.
4. Practicing social distancing within your home.
5. Comply with the Regulations which have been implemented to protect public health.

If you experience cough, fever or shortness of breath, please call the Ministry of Health hotlines on 333 0911 or 232 9444 for advice and support or visit the Ministry of Health’s website https://www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/.