Gastroenteritis Spike – Over 700 Cases In Saint Lucia This Year

Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health has announced a spike in reported gastroenteritis cases, declaring in a press release that the situation had reached ‘outbreak levels’. Medical Surveillance Officer Dr. Dana DaCosta Gomez disclosed that the Island has recorded over 700 cases so far this year. She said the figure represented a thirty percent increase over the same period last year. In addition, the Medical Surveillance Officer revealed elevated cases this year in certain health regions, with up to a 130% increase in documented cases compared to last year. Her complete statement appears below: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, is issuing this statement to inform the general public of the noted increase in gastroenteritis cases presenting to health care facilities throughout the island. For this year, to date over 700 cases of gastroenteritis have been recorded, a 30% increase in the numbers recorded for last year at this time. 5% of these cases have been admitted to and treated in hospital.  Most of the cases have been seeking care at the emergency departments of the OKEU and St Jude Hospitals. Elevated numbers of cases have also been recorded in certain health regions with as much as 130% increase...