The Vector Control Department will intensify its ongoing fogging operations over the week of 23–28 May 2023

View the full post Vector Control Department intensifies mosquito fogging on NOW Grenada.

The office of the Chief Pharmacist and Pharmacy Inspector has been temporarily relocated to the ground floor of the new wing (phase 2) of the General Hospital, St George’s

View the full post Temporary Relocation of Chief Pharmacist and Pharmacy Inspector’s Office on NOW Grenada.

“The fogging operation is in response to complaints of mosquito infestation in those areas”

View the full post Vector Control Division: Fogging Schedule on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Cellular phone services activated for Princess Alice Hospital on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Ministry of Health partners with Grenlec at Mt Gay Psychiatric Hospital on NOW Grenada.

GPPA, GrenCHAP, and the Ministry of Health deliver comprehensive and integrated SRH, GBV and HIV services across 4 parishes

View the full post Integrated SRH, GBV and HIV services across 4 parishes on NOW Grenada.

The Good Hope Medical Station will be closed effective Tuesday, 17 January 2023, until further notice

View the full post Temporary closure of Good Hope Medical Station on NOW Grenada.

The Caribbean region is in the middle of the influenza season, typically from November to March.

The Ministry of Health in St Kitts has detailed ways for the people to address the issues around respiratory diseases. The Minister of Health, Dr Terrance Drew, has taken to his social media account to share ways in which people can limit the transmission of these infections.

The Ministry of Health in St Kitts and Nevis has shared the information available to them regarding the infections. The Ministry has stated that Influenza (flu) is an acute and very contagious respiratory tract infection that can be caused by influenza type A (H3N2) and type B viruses.

Currently, the country is facing growing concerns over emerging Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the new strain of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health update details that they are monitoring the new omicron subvariant of Covid-19 that is emerging in some areas of the North-Eastern USA. The sources reveal that this is the most transmittable variant of the disease. However, the infection is much less severe in the variant. Meanwhile, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus which causes cold and cough-like symptoms.

The Ministry of Health further stated that RSV Infection is not severe and individuals can recover from it within a week; however, children younger than four and older are still vulnerable.

The Ministry of Health has laid out some guidelines to combat the situation. The first is using masks for isolated individuals who have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, RSV or Influenza. If the individuals are tested positive, they are required to remain in isolation.

Covers are also mandatory if visiting the hospital or healthcare centres. The Ministry of Health advises people to see the doctor regularly in case they develop flu-like symptoms or suffer from a persistent cold.

View the full post Annual registration of Pharmacies and Wholesale Distributors on NOW Grenada.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Kenneth George is urging Barbadians not to drop their guard at this time because COVID-19 and a strain of flu – identified as H3N2 – were both circulating among the population.

George said the positivity rate and the R-effective indicated COVID-19 was still very much in the community, but those coming forward to be tested have declined. As a result, the number of people with the viral illness “may not be a true reflection of what it really is”.

He made the disclosure in a recorded statement on Monday.

George said hospitalisation remained low and those patients were exhibiting minor forms of the illness. There has been a single COVID-19 death in the past seven days.

“I am not here to dampen your Christmas in any way, but we are here to let you know there are still some things that you can do prevent sickness and illness,” he said.

“We are indeed facing a double whammy, because we have COVID circulating and we have flu circulating. The flu virus has been typed. It is H3N2 that has been circulating and that has also increased steeply within the last two months. We continue to monitor both for flu and for COVID.”

There have been no hospitalisations or deaths associated with the flu virus, but the CMO said they would report to the public if there were any changes.

George said those with chronic diseases, the overweight and elderly remain vulnerable and he asked them to go the extra mile.

Deputy chief environmental officer and former head of the COVID Monitoring Unit, Ronald Chapman, reinforced the public health measures of mask wearing, handwashing or the use of sanitisers and physical distancing.

“However, we recognise there has been a relaxation in the directives and because of that relaxation we expect persons to take responsibility for themselves. So we are asking persons – as we continue to work through the issues of COVID – if you are feeling unwell, if you are feeling ill, it is wise to put on a mask.

“You may not have COVID, you may be suffering with the flu or may be just a common cold but all respiratory diseases can be fought with the use of the mask.”

Chapman also asked members of the population to manage their risk.

“The Ministry of Health has no intention at this present time to return to the heavy-handed approach that we had during COVID. You can see that with the relaxation of the protocols and the dissolution of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit. We are at a place where we believe persons can act responsibly; that persons can take stock of their own risk, they can look and see how they can protect themselves as opposed to persons police every moment that they make.” (SAT)