The former Chief Medical Officer asks for a second test for visitors

As COVID-19 cases begin to rise in St. Lucia, many are calling on the government to follow suit and implement similar tests as protocols such as those from Barbados arrive.

Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen King, backed up the discussion by saying that while the Barbadian protocol is reasonable and appears to work, Saint Lucia must adopt and adapt to see how best to implement them.

“In my particular presentation, I talked about the public health approach to how we should move forward with the initiative when it comes specifically to COVID-19. The Barbadian protocol is what we need to adapt or improve, but we need to see how we can manage it because it requires a certain capacity and certain resources. Now we need to brainstorm. “

Dr. King believes that if all government health entities came together, things could be done well when implementing such protocols.

“We will share with the CMO, the government command center, how we think things could possibly be done with them. Right now, this is a hand that unites all divisions and I think what we need to do is stand up for what is right. “

The protocol issued by Barbados requires visitors from medium to high risk countries to submit a negative PCR test on arrival and remain in quarantine until re-examined four or five days later; once negative they are authorized by the health authorities to continue their stay on the island.

Visitors to the island recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belmar-George recently said a second test is unnecessary in Saint Lucia due to the success of current protocols.

The CMO said: “For us we prefer to stick to 14 days, which is the incubation period, and keep our strict protocols within the industry.

We have allowed some sites and attractions through a very structured and planned way, so the need to put to that extent was not part of our policy and to date, it seems to work, we have not had outbreaks from guests in the hospitality sector so we don’t see the need to change it at this point. “