COVID-19 cases increasing – Health Minister

…urges vaccination ahead of holidays

There has been an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases detected in recent days and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has reiterated calls for citizens to get vaccinated ahead of the Christmas holidays.
On Friday, during the COVID-19 briefing, Dr Anthony said that after weeks of declining COVID cases, there is now a rise in the numbers.
As such, he is strongly recommending that persons continue to wear face coverings in public settings despite the mandate being lifted.
“…over the last two to three days, we’ve had an increase in cases, right now, because we are tracking 71 cases, this is a major increase from over the last three days. We’ve also seen increases in the hospitals from zero, to now having six persons in hospital.”
“Of the six that are in hospital, we have three that are in the ICU, with one of those persons being intubated,” he said.
Dr Anthony explained that if people do not take necessary precautions to protect themselves then these numbers will continue to climb.
In this light, the Minister urged persons to get vaccinated and boosted ahead of the holiday season as well as to follow guidelines, including frequent handwashing and staying away from those who are sick.
“COVID is not over. I know a lot of people would want to think so, but we are now having an increase in cases despite having low levels of testing and we are seeing a number of those persons having severe infections that warrants hospitalisation,” he explained.
According to Dr Anthony, his Ministry is also seeing a decrease in vaccinations and if persons are not vaccinated then they will be vulnerable to COVID.
“I want to make an appeal to everyone, make sure that your vaccines are up to date, that you have gotten your booster shots because there seem to be a new wave that is coming, and we are seeing the beginning of that wave.” (G9)