Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 08, 2021 (SKNIS): Two senior health officials in St. Kitts and Nevis, who have been at the forefront of crafting the successful COVID-19 health and safety protocols, are prepared to take the lead in being inoculated when COVID-19 vaccines become available in the twin-island Federation.On Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Hazel Laws and Medical Chief of Staff of the Joseph N. France General Hospital Dr. Cameron Wilkinson signalled that they are willing to take the jab publicly to reassure residents.“I believe in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and (when) the vaccine becomes available and…

As of yesterday, January 7, 2021 the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has confirmed oneadditional case of coronavirus disease. The international traveler landed in the Federation onJanuary 6, 2021 from the United States of America (USA). The patient has been in quarantine atone of the COVID-19 certified hotels since arrival in the Federation. The patient was dulynotified and is in isolation.This additional case brings the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases to 34 with 22cases for St. Kitts and 12 cases for Nevis. Please note that 31 cases have fully recovered withzero deaths. There are now three (3) active…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): There is a new variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 found in South Africa and Nigeria, and a new variant spreading across most of England, reported the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, during the January 06 National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Press Briefing. “The science seems to suggest that these three strains of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus are different,” she said. “The scientists seem to have done quite a bit of work on the new variant that is circulating in the United Kingdom (UK). What they are saying is that this new variant is highly…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 7, 2020 (SKNIS): Speaking during the radio and television show ‘Working for You’ on January 6, officials from the Counselling Unit within the Ministry of Social Development, said that despite the challenges posed by family counselling, the Counselling Unit has witnessed successes in how families have benefited from its Family Matters Programme.  The Counselling Unit is piloting the Families Matters Programme (FMP) which is an evidence-based, parent-focused intervention programme funded by the United States Agency for International Development USAID). This programme has been adapted and implemented in countries throughout the world and is designed to promote positive parenting…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): On January 06, 2021, two chartered flights entered St. Kitts and Nevis from Miami and Puerto Rico carrying students from the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM).According to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, during her Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) presentation at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing on January 06, this is the sixth batch of students for the university.The charter from Miami brought in 87 students, while five students would have arrived on the charter from Puerto Rico. A total of 92 students would have been…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): The Family Matters Programme, which is being carried out by the Counselling Unit within the Ministry of Social Development, is helping families to function holistically, says Family Counsellor, Jeremy Thomas, while appearing on the radio and television programme “Working for You”, on January 06.Mr. Thomas said there is a referral process that families must go through first. He noted that the youth are being contacted as an entry point into the families.“When you think about it, a lot of the referrals that we get is usually from the schools,” he said. “Of course,…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): The Republic of China (Taiwan) has pledged to assist St. Kitts and Nevis’ effort to procure additional COVID-19 vaccines once they become available under the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX).Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws, said that the pledge was made by Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador His Excellency Tom Lee during a visit to the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, January 06, 2021.“The Republic of China (Taiwan) is making a very generous donation to the Federation of US$600,000 towards the procurement of vaccines,” Dr. Laws stated during the National Emergency Operations Centre COVID-19…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): Over 6,000 COVID-19 tests have been processed as part of the robust efforts by health authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis to detect and control any cases of the novel coronavirus.The opening of the borders to regional and international passengers on October 31, 2020, has seen a significant increase in the demand for COVID-19 testing. This has caused some delays in the return of test results, which is normally produced less than 24 hours after samples are taken.On Wednesday’s edition (January 6, 2021) of the National Emergency Operations Centre COVID-19 Briefing, Medical Chief…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 07, 2021 (SKNIS): The Team Unity Cabinet of Ministers met on Monday, January 04, 2021, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris. Several issues affecting the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis were deliberated on. Cabinet was advised of the usual statistics locally, regionally, and globally on the COVID-19 situation. The Director of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the CEO of SCASPA (St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority) gave the updated arrival and departure figures including totals up to the present and from…

4 January 2021, Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the Regional Security System Asset Recovery Unit (RSS ARU) host the 2021 Creative Youth Competition with a focus on art. The ECCB/RSS-ARU Creative Youth Competition is designed to allow students, aged 13-19 in the eight ECCB member countries, to demonstrate their creativity, critical thinking skills and talents through various genres including essay writing, poetry, song writing and art. This year, students who wish to participate in the art contest will be required to create a piece on one of the following focus areas: Evolution…