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Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 04, 2021 (SKNIS): The third wave of community spread attributed to the deadly COVID-19 virus is under control, according to officials from the Ministry of Health. In this regard, during the November 3, 2021, NEOC COVID-19 press briefing, Medical Chief of Staff of the Joseph N. France General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, stated that a majority of the COVID-19- related deaths in St. Kitts and Nevis are unvaccinated persons.

“The deaths continue to be among those who are unvaccinated. Twenty-three (23) of the twenty-five (25) deaths did not have the protection that was available to them through vaccination. Sadly, we will be back here to report more deaths if persons remain unprotected. Despite the clear evidence that the vaccines protect against severe disease, hospitalization and death, there is still a segment of the population that has no defensive shield against the virus because they are unvaccinated. Being vaccinated is not just a personal choice, like wearing a mask, it is a personal responsibility you should and must assume in this public health crisis since your decision not to get vaccinated has far-reaching consequences for us all,” said Dr. Wilkinson.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has worked hard to secure various vaccines to inoculate citizens and residents of the Federation. Currently, anyone wishing to get vaccinated has the option of receiving either the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine or the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Wilkinson also outlined during his presentation the benefits of getting vaccinated and made a plea to the unvaccinated to join the fight against COVID-19 at the soonest.

“By becoming vaccinated you are less likely to become infected with COVID-19, less likely to transmit the virus to others and less likely to become severely ill and you and your contact are less likely to be hospitalized and overwhelm the healthcare system. More importantly, the first life you can save through vaccination is your own. Remember it only takes an amber to start a fire; it takes only a single case of COVID-19 to spark a new wave of infection that can threaten our health system and push us back into increased curfews and even lockdowns. The experience of others elsewhere should be a warning to us here…As we slowly emerge from this third wave, many are becoming complacent and less vigilant with the non-pharmaceutical measures even as many are demanding the return to mass events and contact sports,” said Dr. Wilkinson.

The Ministry of Health continues to encourage persons to go out and get vaccinated. Once four (4) weeks or more have passed after the 1^st dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine or 21 days or more have passed after the 1^st dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, persons are eligible to return for their 2^nd dose.