 And public interest in the national vaccination program is heightening with thousands of St. Lucien's registering. Homo De Mark reports. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is progressing with the National Immunization Drive for the coronavirus. In the second part of the first phase, the drive's current focus is the vaccination of persons 65 years and older and those living with chronic diseases. Residents of Richfaw and Bexaw within this demographic have now received their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Teclaja Baptist is the National Immunization Manager. It is very important that these persons are vaccinated against COVID-19 infection against the virus because when these persons get infected or if they become infected with the virus, just by nature of their age and their health condition, they are at risk at very high risk of developing the severe disease, the complications and even death. Jabaptist says with the global impact of COVID-19 and the rise of cases in country, the elderly population and persons living with chronic diseases in St. Lucia should take the opportunity to protect themselves from COVID-19. While phase one focuses on people most at risk, accommodation is made for other citizens. Of course we note that thousands of persons who have registered for the COVID-19 vaccine who have indicated their desire to have the vaccine to get immunized against COVID-19 and as such, we have also opened up to those persons who have registered. The second and third phase of the immunization drive focuses on persons at medium risk and the rest of the population. From the Government Information Service, Hermione Mark reporting.