By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – On Wednesday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) announced that prime minister Philip J. Pierre underwent a routine PCR test, Tuesday, February 8, 2022, and “received a positive PCR test result”.
The OPM press statement said:
“As per public health protocols, he is presently isolated and will continue working from home,” and further noted that “The prime minister is doing well and exhibits no symptoms at this time.”
UN secretary-general António Guterres said on Wednesday, the COVID-19 pandemic could be defeated this year but only if vaccines, tests and treatments are made available to all people.
Testing and test results in Saint Lucia continues to be low per [Collected and processed samples are well below the ability to test up to 2,000 persons in one day.] Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs (MOH) confirmed a total of 33 new cases of COVID-19, from a total of 290 samples.
MOH also reported a “total of 51, 582 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 5, 873 are partially vaccinated and 6, 451 have received their booster shot.” [Population of approx. 180, 000.]
Leading by example OPM said prime minister Pierre:
“Continues to maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise, and increased fluid intake. He is fully vaccinated, and has received his booster shot. Prime minister Pierre takes this opportunity to encourage citizens to get fully vaccinated, get boosted, and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.”
Earlier today, World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the ACT-Accelerator that calls for fair share-based financing of US$ 23 billion to end the pandemic as a global emergency in 2022.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said:
“The rapid spread of Omicron makes it even more urgent to ensure tests, treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably globally. If higher-income countries pay their fair share of the ACT-Accelerator costs, the partnership can support low- and middle-income countries to overcome low COVID-19 vaccination levels, weak testing, and medicine shortages. Science gave us the tools to fight COVID-19; if they are shared globally in solidarity, we can end COVID-19 as a global health emergency this year.”
