 As of January 30th, 2022, St. Lucia has diagnosed a total of 20,909 cases in country with 4,096 active cases presently. The daily infection rate for the last seven days is 94.9 per 100,000 population per day, which represents a 43% reduction from last week with a 44% average testing positivity rate and a transmission rate of 2.9. We have 49 positive cases admitted at the respiratory hospital, six of them are severely ill. We have recorded a total of 325 COVID-19 related deaths and COVID deaths. Since the commencement of the fifth wave on December 16th, 2021, 7,780 cases have been diagnosed with an average of 173 cases per day. Women account for 59% of the cases and 29 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded, 55% of which is male. The majority of the deaths are COVID-19 related due to other associated chronic health conditions. Tourists account for 2% of the cases diagnosed for the past seven days, but 4.8% of the total cases during the fifth wave. Although the cases diagnosed are island-wide, the main areas affected are castries, grose, lee, viewfort and babano. This week, although we continue to register cases, the seven-day average approximation indicates a downward trend in the epidemiological curve. We note reductions in most of the public health indicators. The cases of COVID-19 noted on a daily basis still has the capacity to cause an increase in hospitalizations, deaths and affect the productivity in the workplace. We appeal to all organizations, including the public and private sector, to ensure the strengthening of all of the public health protocols. We remind you of the following important measures. Avoid large crowds and crowded areas. If you develop respiratory symptoms, seek medical care and avoid contact with others. Avoid large meetings and crowded activities and social gatherings. Ensure the protocols are maintained at all workplaces and sectors, on minibuses and commercial and tourism sector gyms, hardware stores, supermarkets and recreational activities. Ensure safe physical distancing for face-to-face meetings and activities. The use of the face mask when in public places. Ensure regular cleaning of surfaces and sanitation of all business establishments and environments. Ensure you remain in quarantine or isolation if you are a direct contact of a case or a member of your household is positive. Limit social activities at work. Encourage vaccination of employees. The Pfizer AstraZeneca and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available at the various wellness centers and advertised sites. These vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting persons from developing COVID-19, its severe forms, complications, hospitalizations and death. The booster vaccine is also available for persons who have been fully vaccinated for over six months. Everyone who has not been vaccinated is urged to get vaccinated urgently. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue providing updates to the public as new information becomes available.