 The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association reaffirms its support of the government's decision to institute a seven-day state of emergency in the first instant, the 10-hour curfew and shortened pre-testing timeframe for arrivals. Public Relations Officer Dr. Monique Moplaise says the medical fraternity is anxious by the steady climbing cases and anticipates that these measures announced by the Prime Minister will contribute significantly to the infection reduction effort. A lot of our members have been very anxious because we've been monitoring the numbers very closely and we've seen it rising and rising and rising. But at the same time, we are hopeful. We know that if everybody follows protocols, if you social distance, if you keep on your mask, if you keep cleaning your hands, wash with soap and water, and if that's not available, you know, use your sanitizer, then we can handle this. But it must say that's why members have been pushing towards the stricter protocols, the curfew and all of this, because we need to get it under control. The numbers have been quite alarming and now we're up to 18 deaths. We need to do a little more. Dr. Monique Moplaise says the association is also pleased with the government's approval of rapid testing in the national COVID-19 response. We're very happy that the government has allowed some rapid tests to come in because it puts less strain on our main system, the PCR system, as you know, they're floundering right now. They're inundated with all these test results right now, so the rapid will help bring some much-needed relief to those people who are testing, as well as thank you to our forensic lab for doing some much-needed backup and support there. Dr. Monique Moplaise, Public Relations Officer for St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association, appearing there on the National Television Network's program, The Morning Brew.