Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 03, 2022 (SKNIS): As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact worldwide, Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Abdias Samuel, has appealed to the general public to protect vulnerable groups in the community.
The appeal was made at the February 02, 2022, NEOC COVID-19 Press Briefing held at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Conference Room.
“Vulnerable groups are one the groups that we have to protect in our country and this appeal is for you to protect that particular group in our society. Please do your best and do it now. If you are going somewhere please protect yourself. If you are coming back home do your best not to interact and bring the virus,” said Mr. Samuel. “I want to encourage you to apply the non-pharmaceutical measures, and do your best to protect your families, those who are elderly at home, and those who have underlying conditions.”
A special appeal was also made for persons to get vaccinated in order to add another level of protection against the deadly virus.
“I want to end this particular appeal by asking you to get vaccinated if you are not. Those who have their elderly parents or whoever living with you, or if not, if you can encourage them to be vaccinated or at least permit them to be vaccinated,” said Chairman Samuel. “It is very important. I don’t wish for us to have any more death in that particular demographic group as this is very disturbing and alarming for us.”
According to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Hazel Laws, “89 percent” of the COVID-19 related deaths recorded in St. Kitts and Nevis were unvaccinated and “mainly older adults.” She added that “78 percent of the individuals were over the age of 60.”
-30-
