 Coming to you from our GIS Studios, I am Anicia Antoine and this is your Midday News Brief. A St. Lucian contingent will be visiting the Government of the Republic of China Taiwan to participate in the Tai Chiang Jazz Festival and the Tai Chiang Instruments Festival. Supported by the Office of St. Lucian's Ambassador to Taiwan, 14 persons comprising five members of his band and technical personnel will be attending the celebrations. The festival will also feature a parade consisting of St. Lucian students studying in Taiwan, depicting St. Lucian's national costumes. Chairman of the Cultural Development Foundation, Daniel Belize, explained that the initiative is in keeping with the vision of the CDF, bolstering cooperation, networking and education through partnership with the Taiwanese government in an effort to grow and develop the arts in St. Lucian. Charged Defer of the Taiwanese Embassy, Councillor Bill Wang, praised the Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, with responsibility for Culture and Creative Industries, Senator Honourable Fortuner Bill Rose, for safeguarding the success of the initiative. The festivities will take place in Taipei, Taiwan from October 2 through October 15, 2019. The Department of Health and Wellness has recorded an increase in the number of cases of gastroenteritis reported over the last few weeks. Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines and may be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites among others. Gastroenteritis is spread by direct contact with an infected person by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces, then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth. Persons presenting with gastroenteritis may experience diarrhea and or vomiting, which may be accompanied by stomach pain and fever. The Department of Health and Wellness continues to put measures in place to monitor and address the increase in cases of gastroenteritis. Transmission can be minimised if persons practise good hand hygiene. Please seek medical attention at your nearest wellness centre if your condition does not improve or if there are any signs of dehydration. The residents of Timon have shown a keen interest in their community development. On Thursday, September 26, a team from the Ministry of Infrastructure held a community meeting in Timon to discuss the ongoing Road Rehabilitation project. During the meeting, residents complained about the bad conditions of their roads, which according to them had not been fixed in 25 years. Honourable Stevenson King, Parliamentary Representative for Castries North, expressed gratitude to the residents for their turnout, passion and continued support. Following the successful community meeting, technical staff from the Department of Infrastructure joined residents on a preliminary assessment of an area of road which needs urgent attention. This has been your Midday News Brief. Thank you for watching.