 Welcome to NTN Nightly, I am Jessie Layance. This edition stops stories. Contact tracing by health authorities establish a link in COVID-19 community spread. USAID helps protect early childhood centres from COVID-19 and the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association holds resources to help their own. Saint Lucia has recorded 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date. Over the last 9 days, the Ministry of Health received confirmation of 8 new cases of COVID-19. These were COVID-19 cases No. 29 to 36. Given the professions of these cases and the social activities which they undertake, a wide contact tracing and testing intervention is being undertaken. This included community-based testing at a number of sites, allowing for testing of a large number of people in a short space of time. During the last 9 days, over 1200 tests have been conducted in response to the contact tracing efforts. These cases were from varying communities, but the Ministry's contact tracing team was able to establish a common link of the cases to the Olio community on the east coast of Saint Lucia. During the past week, targeted testing was undertaken in communities of immediate concern at Olio-Dennery, with a total of 167 people being tested in Derriso-Miku, with 15 people being tested, and for the relevant staff and students of the Cassie's Comprehensive School, with 182 people being tested so far. This week, contact tracing will be continuing as well as community-based testing, which is one of the strategies for identifying other cases which may exist in the communities. Some details now on the new cases. Case 34 is a 21-year-old male, the son of case number 31, the 47-year-old male from Cassie's, who was diagnosed on October 14, 2020. The second case, number 35, is a 23-year-old female, who is a close contact of cases 30, 31, 32 and 34. These two newly diagnosed cases were identified during the contact tracing process, being undertaken by the health team in response to the cases which were diagnosed during this past week. The third case, number 36, is a 21-year-old male who participated in one of the community testing drives which was recently conducted. This individual is linked to case number 33. The three new COVID-19 patients were admitted at the Respiratory Hospital for care. The general public is reminded that though the ministry has been able to establish a link among cases 29 to 36, it is still possible that there may be community transmission of COVID-19. As such, we all need to remain on high alert and ensure that throughout the day, all the necessary measures are undertaken to reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. This can be done by following the guidelines for preventing the spread of infection, which include consistently using face masks in public places, keeping a safe physical distance from others, washing or sanitizing hands frequently, particularly throughout the day, and to promptly seek care at the closest respiratory clinic if experiencing respiratory signs and symptoms. Health officials implore students to avoid social gatherings outside of their family unit while school is closed. Last week ended with a St. Lucia registering COVID-19 cases at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. Patient number 32 is enrolled at the institution while patient number 33 is employed there. The Ministry of Education closed that school for two weeks and then all other schools including early childhood centers for one week. Chief medical officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George strongly advises students to limit their interactions to their family unit in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. So it's not a time for lining, it's not a time to go and plan a beach party because we're not at school. We want to limit those activities and we realize a huge mental health impact of lockdowns and shutting. So that is why a lot of it we're saying, stick to your family unit. You can go to the beach but go with your family unit. Don't have a beach party where you have people from all over the island mixing and intermingling. If you're doing a boat ride, let it be a small boat ride. If you're small social groups, your family groups are not the general public or mixing up together. Immediately upon confirming the students' COVID-19 diagnosis, the Department of Health incorporated his school in their contact tracing efforts. Screening for school staff and students commenced the following day, Saturday 17th October 2020. Honorable Dr. Gail Rigabert is the Minister for Education. By now, all teachers have been tested. Many of the students too. You can appreciate it as a school that has over 600 students and so there had to be a strategic approach to this. Addressing those more closely affiliated with the students and extending the service as we could. I want to thank the parents for their patience, their understanding and for cooperating with us and with the medical staff as well over the last couple days in particular. As we speak, there are meetings ongoing, again with the aim of ensuring that our students and teachers receive the best care and that we answer their many questions and quell their anxieties. Honorable Rigabert advises that instruction will revert to the multifaceted approach of online learning and safe distribution of instructional packages from teachers during the period students are at home. The United States Agency for International Development USAID, through its Bureau of Humanitarian Agency BHA, has procured a quantity of hand-washing stations, sanitizer and bleach for the 21 government-owned early childhood development centers. Germs can spread very easily in childcare facilities. Considering the pandemic, the school safety unit of the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations sought the assistance of USAID, through its Bureau of Humanitarian Agency, to boost hygiene standards at the 21 government-run early childhood centers on Ireland. Pernesco drives the school safety officer in the Department of Education. We are now the beneficiaries of 21 hand-washed stations and 25 hand sanitizer cases of hand sanitizer and 30 cases of bleach, which will go a long way in assisting us as we continue the fight against COVID-19. The donation is inclusive of all plumbing fittings and neighbor costs for the hand-washing stations. USAID, BHA representative to St. Dusha, and Jabhatis, said the organization is pleased to provide these much-needed supplies. On behalf of USAID, Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, I am pleased to donate to the Ministry of Education the supplies that we have here now to augment the measures at cleaning and sanitation of the facilities at the early childhood centers. Chief Education Officer Dr Fiona Fedeb-Mayer expressed thanks for the favorable response of the organization. We appreciate that we have gotten this during the COVID-19 period, but for our little ones, our early childhood sector and the benefactors there, hygiene is all year round throughout their lives. So we need to make sure that we insist upon those elements that will ensure that our children are healthy, which is that we teach our little ones to wash their hands. We teach our little ones proper hygiene that is going to last them and their families a lifetime. USAID, BHA handed over the supplies to the Department of Education to in a brief ceremony at the Department's warehouse in Vidbotay. From the Government Information Service, Lister Joseph reports in. The St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association is covering the educational expenses of blind and visually impaired members and their families who are in need. The portion of proceeds from the Prime Minister's Independence Ball 2020 donated to the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association has gone toward the education of the blind and visually impaired and their families. Checks for $500 each were presented to 23 students from 20 households across St. Lucia to offset some of their education costs. Association Administrator Deborah Pamphill says the membership remains the priority despite the organization's own dire circumstances. Although SLBWA was not spared COVID-19 backlash, we are well aware of the pressure that it placed on our families to provide educational support, especially in this new environment, this new educational environment to our students. The Association too has always experienced in depleting resources, yet we remain steadfast in ensuring that our mandate in seeking a better opportunity, better life through inclusive education opportunities is given to all. President Glenn Simon, who was on hand to present the checks, thanked the recipients for seeing to the education of their children, many of whom are blind and visually impaired. Let me thank you for accepting to be here, accepting the challenge of taking care of your children, accepting the challenge of not allowing blindness or low vision status to define who you are, but indicating very clearly that you are going to achieve and you are going to make a difference and an impact on the St. Lucia landscape. And we are going to be here with you as the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association to support you. We were very fortunate that we were among those that the Prime Minister selected to have presented with a contribution of $20,000 from the ball that they had for independence and we are most grateful. And so it is as we receive from the Blind Welfare, we give back and we give back to our members. The Executive Director of the Blind Welfare Association stated that the organization remains firmly conscious of the plight of people who are living with blindness and visual impairment, continuing its mandate, especially amid the pandemic. The SLBWA has been pursuing an inclusive agenda because the SLBWA believe that if opportunities are provided, the people who are so affected will be able to take their place in joining the contributors to the continuing development of their society. Education is key and is paramount. To date, the SLBWA and partners have succeeded in mainstreaming children around the island and also providing opportunities for those who are affected by several disabilities. The Czech Presentation Ceremony was held on Friday, September 25, 2020 at the Lyons Den at Barnard Hill. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, ECA, has reaffirmed its commitment to national efforts to safeguard the integrity of St. Lucia's soil and plant health. This as the island joins the rest of the world in celebrating international year of plant health. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture has been encouraging the use of innovative technology and practices to support more sustainable plant health in the Caribbean. ECA representative to the Eastern Caribbean states, Greg Rawlins, in speaking at the recently held tree planting exercise in commemoration of international year of plant health, reaffirms ECA's commitment to continue to assign high priority to plant health in the Institute's technical cooperation program for St. Lucia. ECA has and continues to implement projects to improve the knowledge and skills of professionals in the detection, monitoring and management of key pests that can potentially impact food and nutrition security, livelihoods and regional and international trade. Over the past two years, the achievements under these projects have contributed to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of plant health systems in the region. The Agriculture Ministry has over the years supported plant health through various programs and initiatives, including pest control training and farmer field schools. Acting Minister for Agriculture Hon. Herod Stanislaus asserts that agriculture leaders remain committed to designing nationwide public education and awareness activities to sensitize the populace on their role in safeguarding the country's agriculture economy. These efforts will be solidified by also initiating more stringent measures at the island's borders. Plants are a vital part of St. Lucia's culture and economy. 45% of St. Lucia's lands are covered by natural forests. This forest cover is home to many of our unique biodiversity. Our forests serves as therapeutic havens for our people and visitors as well. Our emphasis as a government focuses on sustainable agricultural production, which depends heavily on healthy plants as our external markets help contribute meaningfully to our economic prosperity and are only accessible on the acceptable plant health status. The Agriculture Ministry will continue to work with the regional and international plant health institutions with the goal of protecting plant health in St. Lucia. From the Information Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. Up next, we have Primus Hutchinson with the NT and Novella Cuiol. Simple adjustments are necessary to keep us all safe. When calling 911, we may need a little more information to deploy the right personnel and protocols. You may be asked about your travel history, signs and symptoms, contact and movement history, and whether others in your household are exhibiting similar symptoms. Please be patient and cooperative during this time to ensure you receive the best possible care while keeping our first responders safe. Welcome back. Time now for the NT and Novella Cuiol with Primus Hutchinson. On October 18th, the Ministry of Agriculture received a confirmation of three cases of COVID-19. That means 44, 26, 44, which is the number of people in the country who have been tested positive on October 14th, 2020. On October 23rd, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 14th, 2020. On October 23rd, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 26th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 24th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 24th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 24th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 25th, 2020. On October 25th, the Ministry of Agriculture received 23 cases of COVID-19, which is the number of people who have been tested positive on October 25th, 2020. In order to participate in your discussion, I would like to address my situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has made a plan for the operation in the country to strengthen the selection of new development results. In JISA, it has decided to buy for the country authorization to strengthen all these protocols to protect the sick citizens and to try to control them so as not to eat them. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmajod declared that he had placed a piece of technology in operation to make it easier for you to discover the individuals who have already found the sick. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. For the most resident point of the advantage of tourism and business activities, that is because you are looking for $1 million to develop business tourism in this village. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, all the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. All the protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, including the comprehensive protocols that the Ministry of Agriculture has made for this week, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. The Ministry of Agriculture has continued to conduct the examination to help them determine their own way to address this situation. Thank you for your time.