Saint Lucia has been handling the COVID-19 pandemic well with just 27 cases recorded and no reported deaths. With strict protocols in place and a phased reopening of the economy, the government has kept the virus at bay and public health intact.
The U.K. government is doing its part to help Saint Lucia maintain its prudent management of the crisis, the Saint Lucia Times reported. On Thursday, Oct. 1, alongside Canada and PAHO/WHO, the U.K. donated a large complement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front line staff, including well over 200,000 medical masks and N95 respirators.
The UK has contributed approximately 55 million East Caribbean dollars to the PAHO regional response fund in the fight against the pandemic and its multiple effects. This includes support for testing, treatment, surveillance and public risk communication efforts. This handover is only one of several deliveries of critical management supplies.
Resident British Commissioner Steve McCready commended the Saint Lucian government for its exemplary response to the coronavirus crisis and said that its commitment to citizens and visitors was evident from the start.
He praised the hard work of the health officials and personnel who have been on the frontline of protecting public health for many months.
He reiterated the value of cooperation in times of crisis and so was pleased to be working alongside Canada and others to deliver assistance such as this particular PPE donation to Saint Lucia.
The UK has pledged over £1 billion of aid to counter the health, humanitarian, and economic risks, and to support the global effort to find a vaccine. COVID-19 is a compound and protracted crisis that will play out over an extended period of time.