Changes have been made to COVID-19 testing and isolation protocols in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer Beache said the change is about what is done to determine whether or not a person is positive.
“If somebody has symptoms; fever, cough, cold, and you do a rapid antigen test; that one is done on the spot, within 20 minutes you have a result, once that’s positive then you are considered positive for COVID”.
The Chief Medical Officer said that during the pre outbreak period (March – September 2021), one would be subjected to a PCR test following a positive result on an antigen test; however that has changed.
“Evidence has proven that if someone has symptoms consistent with the disease during a COVID outbreak, there is no need to seek a PCR test if an antigen test has already been conducted. A positive antigen from an individual showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be considered COVID-19 positive”.
Keizer Beache said those with symptoms who test negative on the antigen test would be subjected to a PCR test.
In the area of isolation, Keizer Beache said individuals in COVID-19 isolation will now be eligible for release from isolation without a negative PCR result.
“As of last Wednesday, we decided to release somebody from isolation, so a known positive case; the recommendation from WHO/PAHO is that if you have been in isolation for fourteen days and you have been asymptomatic, so no symptoms, no cough, no fever for the last three days of that isolation period, you can be released from isolation without a PCR test”. The CMO said.
Keizer Beache said that the Health Authorities would contact any person who has been isolated for fourteen days.
“Anybody who has been in isolation for fourteen days, we would be contacting you; if we don’t get to contact you, we would ask that you contact your clinic to confirm that you can be released from isolation without having a PCR test”.
Dr Keizer Beache reiterated that those still experiencing symptoms on day fourteen of isolation need to consult with their healthcare provider before leaving isolation.
Health officials on Sunday said the country had recorded five more deaths, bringing the toll to 38 since the start of the pandemic.
There are currently Fifty-one persons hospitalised for COVID-19 at various isolation centres.
One thousand two hundred and eighty-six (1286) cases are currently active.
Four thousand and ninety-six (4096) cases of COVID-19 and two thousand, six hundred and ninety-three (2693) recoveries have been recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since March 2020.
