Published 17 May, 2020
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Covid-19 fight: St. Kitts and Nevis model of smallest and best managed state
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, May 17, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has had global attention in the context of the very successful way it is managing the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, making it the model of the smallest and the best managed state in the world.
Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, who was a panellist on the Inside the News talk show programme on WINN FM 98.9 on Saturday May 16, pointed out that as at Friday May 15, 2020 at 3:00 pm the situation report had it 4.3 million people around the world would have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, and 295,101 deaths worldwide.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, only 15 persons tested positive and out of that number 14 have already successfully recovered. The Prime Minister said: “We give God thanks for such a success and we thank their families and even those who were infected with the disease. For their perseverance, and that they have been able to come through safely, we are grateful for that.”
St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Harris noted, has so far tested 388 persons which is one of the largest testing rates based on the country’s population size and per capita basis anywhere in the world.
“We have come, so far, through a very difficult time and we have been able to flatten the curve, to use one of the terms that have now become popularised,” said Dr Harris who also has lead responsibility for Human Resource Development, Health and HIV/AIDS issues in the CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet.
“For several days, and I am sure 20-plus days, we have not had a new case,” said the Honourable Prime Minister. “That is important, but equally important is the challenge not to take the success that we have for granted and to do anything that imperils it.”
According to the Prime Minister, the advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO), from Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) etc., “is essentially that we must continue to observe those norms that have become necessary in the context of the containment of the virus for which there is yet no vaccine, no therapeutic solution – that we must continue to observe them.”
He recommended that everyone has to continue to observe social and physical distancing, and continue to observe the wearing of masks when going outdoors. He also advised the general population to continue to ensure that they do the best to boost their immune system by the use of more vegetables and fruits in their meals as that would certainly help, and to give themselves regular exercise.
The fact that regular exercise helps physically and mentally as well, Prime Minister Harris reminded that in the last SR&O, No 16 of 2020, Government had taken a deliberated decision to ease the time of the curfew allowing for persons to go to the beach for the purpose of exercising of some form. The Prime Minister proudly noted: “We are happy to date that we have had no abuse being noted or coming to the public as a result of those measures.”
He further added: “We will continue over time to relax these restrictions on the advice and the advice only of our health professionals, our security professionals and the collective wisdom of the persons in the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) headed by Mr Abdias Samuel.”
