BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Caribbean Lottery has donated 3,000 KN95 masks, 2,000 to the Ministry of Health and 1,000 to the National COVID-19 Task Force.

The presentation was made at the National Emergency Operations Centre Press Briefing on February 17.

On behalf of the Caribbean Lottery, Sabina Harrinarain commended the efforts by the Ministry of Health as well as the COVID-19 Task Force in keeping the Federations safe.

“To show our commitment to the cause, we are donating 2,000 masks to the Ministry of Health, and 1,000 masks to the COVID-19 Task Force,” said Mrs. Harrinarian. “We thank you so much and applaud you for all the hard work and effort you have taken in keeping us safe especially in these uncertain times.”

Medical Chief of Staff at the JNF General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, accepted the masks on behalf of the ministry and expressed gratitude to the Caribbean Lottery for its generous donation.

“I want to say how grateful we are for this timely and very important donation,” he said. “We have said all along that it’s the non-pharmaceutical measures that will keep us safe, that is, wearing masks, social distancing and hand sanitizing, and we cannot have enough masks.”

Dr. Wilkinson said he is happy that the organization has decided to make the donation of 3000 KN95 masks.

“I assure you these will go a long way in continuing to protect us and preventing the spread of COVID-19,” he said. “We have done a great job so far not having any community spread, not having major hospitalizations or deaths and this gesture today would go a long way in keeping us in a continued safe manner.”

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BASSERERRE, St. Kitts — Thirty-seven entrants have registered to participate in the 2021 National Backyard Garden Competition with 26 entrants in vegetable and 11 in the ornamental categories. The goal of the initiative by the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, are aimed at encouraging more locally grown food.

“The event is designed to promote healthy eating, as well as to encourage persons to beautify their communities and homes,” explained Shaline Welcome-Lewis, Community Tourism Officer. The competition was launched in October 2020.

“The project is to encourage the development of backyard gardening while increasing the awareness of healthier eating for persons with fresh daily consumption,” said Mrs. Welcome-Lewis. “We want to encourage locals to grow what they want to consume and with the economic impact that we have all endured recently we want to ensure that people can reduce their supermarket bills, while they eat healthier and spend less.”

The competition will be judged on plant cultivation and health (40 points), layout (15 points), and environment (25 points). A bonus segment using drone footage will allow persons to score an extra five points.

Under plant cultivation and health, participants are required to implement and adopt creative measures, demonstrate proper use of the garden space, have healthy plants, as well as label plants properly so they can be easily identified, just to name a few.

Kyle Flanders, Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, said that the physical layout of the garden is an important component of the competition.

“We are going to look and see exactly how you decided to lay out your garden, where the footpaths are, and the organization of plants in the garden,” said Flanders. “We want to know if you are going to pair the plants properly and we want to know that you have clear, comfortable access to your overall garden.”

Mrs. Therez Ambrose-Versailles, Tourism Research Officer, stressed the use of recyclable materials as recycling can help to protect the environment.

“We want people to use recyclable materials in their garden,” said Mrs. Ambrose-Versailles. “We will be able to see the impact of the recycled materials used. I want to see uniqueness when I enter your garden and what materials were used that I have never seen before.

“We want to have this wow factor when I enter your garden,” she said. “The sustainable aspect of the competition is important because it is not about just gardening for a competition but to be able to feed yourself and your family.”

There are participants from all around the island, including St. Peter’s, Sandy Point, Half Way Tree, Old Road, and Newton Ground.

In the vegetable section, the top three competitors will be rewarded while the top two will be rewarded for ornamental. Some of the prizes include an irrigation system, wheelbarrow, gardening tool kit, plaque, basket, and gardening hose with control head.

Advantages of backyard gardening

There are several advantages to be derived from backyard gardening,” explained Flanders.

“Subsistence farming is defined as farming or a system of farming that provides all or almost all the goods required by the farm family usually without any significant surplus for sale.

“Saving money is one advantage,” he said. “Everyone is concerned about their pockets. Therefore if you’re doing backyard farming you are going to reduce your supermarket bill.

“The second advantage he mentioned was that persons can eat healthier,” said Flanders. “People complain about the chemicals being put into the plants that are being imported. But, if you plant them yourself, you know what is in the ground, you know what you are doing. It’s as organic as organic can be. So therefore, there might not be a problem as it relates to that.

“The third advantage mentioned was food security. It would have just been a talking point back in the day, but COVID taught us that not anymore, we need to get this thing happening,” he said. “Therefore, we can use backyard gardening to make sure people have nutritious foods at their fingertips.”

Flanders said that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #2 deals with zero hunger by 2030, and that subsistence farming can help with this.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The recently opened Lodge/Ottley’s Community Centre will contribute to the well-being of the community and aid community spirit, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Janelle Lewis-Tafari.

Mrs. Lewis-Tafari applauded the government for the progressive strides it has made over the past two decades with respect to social development, speaking at the February 16 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening of the Ottley’s-Lodge Community Centre.

“The progressive strides that have been made towards the establishment of safe and secure community facilities are critical to the Government’s multi-dimensional agenda to spur the implementation of community-driven advancement programmes geared towards enriching the social and economic fabric of our society,” said Mrs. Lewis-Tafari.

“The centrality and versatility of these centers are aimed at promoting civic participation at community enrichment interventions, such as educational and vocational programmes, and other activities that will foster community cohesion and social solidarity,” she said. “In addition, the role of the centers also includes shelters following a disaster.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic among other critical factors has given the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis a stark reminder of the heightened priority that must be given to strengthening all communities to improve our socio-economic conditions and improve our resilience,” said Mrs. Lewis-Tafari.

“This is your golden opportunity” to improve upon and foster more community cohesion and social solidarity,” she told the residents of Lodge, Ottley’s, and their surrounding communities.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the pay-out of the initial mobilization funds to build a new Basseterre High School, according to Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell. He said the tendering process for the various aspects of the construction of the new school will begin in a few weeks.

“This project has faced some challenges on its own, but it is a project that is in the best interest of not just the students within the Basseterre area, but to the benefit of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Minister Powell.

The construction of the new school, which will be located at Pond’s Extension in East Basseterre, has been in the works since 2015.

In his contribution to the Budget Debate on December 18, 2020, Minister Powell noted that the construction has taken longer than anticipated. However, he is satisfied that the delays were within reason.

“We must ensure that in building an institution of this magnitude that it is done properly, that all the I’s are dotted all the T’s are crossed,” said Hon. Powell. “At the end of the day, we will have a school that will last for a very long time. It will set a new standard not just in St. Kitts and Nevis, but across the Caribbean Region.”

The modern Basseterre High School will feature 32 classrooms, a music centre with two dedicated music rooms, four science labs and six computer labs, a dedicated lecture room, counselling and health service facilities, an auditorium with seating capacity for a minimum of 1,200 persons and upgraded sporting facilities that will meet international standards.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –- The healthcare system has successful improved during the most recent six years and built a system that ensures, ‘people first and quality always,’ according to Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett.
Minister Nisbett said that since 2015, Team Unity has built out a programme to reduce Non-communicable Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases, which account for 83 percent of deaths in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“As a result of this work between 2015 to 2020, the incidence of new cases of diabetes has decreased by 46.9 percent and new cases of hypertension decreased by 44.7 percent,” said Mrs. Byron-Nisbett. “The renovation work continuing at the Joseph N. France General Hospital. This marks phase three of the project.

“Patients are being cared for at the new oncology wing at the JNF General Hospital,” she said. “The Tabernacle Health Centre has been built and the ministry will continue its efforts to refurbish all other health centres.

“We have already started work at the St. Peter’s Health Centre and believe that facility will provide relief to that community. A small health centre has outgrown its use at this point,” she said. “This new facility will bring even more to the people of St. Peter’s and its surroundings and as a result add even more to our healthcare system.”

In terms of COVID-19, Mrs. Byron-Nisbett urged people to continue to follow the non-pharmaceutical measures.

“Yes, we are about to receive vaccines, and there are more on the way,” she explained. “We still have to ensure that we social distance, wear our masks, and follow all of our protocols to ensure that we continue to stay safe. We have come too far to turn back now, we can’t lose focus at this point.”

Mrs, Byron-Nisbett said that the Team Unity Government’s early preparations and quick decisions meant that the country had the protective equipment it needed and its hospitals did not become overwhelmed.

“We kept you safe. We remain one of the very few countries that have not had any COVID-19-related-deaths,” she said. “As we have reopened our borders, we have kept the health of our people our top priority, but we are not taking anything for granted, neither should you.”

Minister Byron-Nisbett added that there is much more needed to be done to secure a stronger and safer future for the Federation.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — During the February 17 National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing, medical officials shared with the public that the COVID-19 vaccine will be given in three stages.

Medical Chief of Staff at the JNF General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, said that when determining who will be vaccinated first, the World Health Organization has three goals in mind. These include:
1. To decrease serious death and serious disease as much as possible;
2. To preserve the functioning of society: and
3. To reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities.

Speaking to the stage approach, Dr. Wilkinson said that enough vaccines are available to cover 20 percent of the population. Therefore, vaccination will be done through prioritizing and targeting.

“The National Immunization Committee has met and determined the target groups for the various stages,” he said. “So we will roll out this plan in three stages.”

In Stage 1a, it will be health care workers as they are at high risk. These workers include all specialists and internists, doctors and nurses on the COVID-19 Ward, the Operating Theatre, Intensive Care Unit, Accident and Emergency, COVID-19 Testers, Health Centre Nurse Managers, Aids and Emergency Medical Services.

Stage 1b includes border protection staff along the corridor of containment; Port Health, Immigration, Customs, Ground Transportation (Taxi Drivers), and Hotel Workers, including those at the front desk, security and lobby.

Stage 1c includes the executive arm of government and essential workers outside of the health sector, including police and defence force, coast guard, fire and rescue.

Stage 1d includes older adults, 60-79 years of age, with chronic diseases, and two or more of the following comorbidities: diabetes, respiratory conditions like emphysema and asthma, renal disease, auto-immune conditions, and coagulopathies.

Stage 1e is an emergency reserve of vaccines for utilization for outbreak response or mitigation.

Stage 2a includes health care workers who are at high to very high-risk in nursing homes (public and private), in-home care services, and COVID-19 Laboratory Staff.

Stage 2b include older adults, 60 to 70 years of age, with none or one co-morbidity, in nursing homes, in home care. Dr. Laws noted that older adults, who are 80 years or older, would be medically evaluated for suitability of receiving the vaccine.

Stage 2c includes persons under 60 years of age with chronic diseases and the following comorbidities: diabetes, respiratory conditions like emphysema and asthma, renal disease, auto-immune conditions, and coagulopathies.

Stage 2d includes socioeconomic groups including low-income migrant settlements (St. Kitts –Newtown, Irish Town/McKnight, Market Street; Nevis –Low Street, Craddock Road, Bath Village), disadvantaged persons registered in the Social Security Benefit Systems, persons with disabilities, low-income groups, hard to reach populations, Mental Health Day Treatment Centre.

Stage 3a will target all the staff and teachers in the Ministry of Education from the Early Childhood phase to the tertiary level.

Stage 3b will target essential workers outside of the health system. These include police and defence force, municipal services, other civil servants, agricultural and food industry workers, ground, and sea transportation drivers.

Stage 3c will include social employment groups including prison workers and residents, manufacturing industry workers, New Horizons Detention Centre, the Children’s Home and offshore medical school dorms.

Stage 3d will target health care workers who are at low risk. These include Medical Ward Staff, Surgical Ward Staff, Cardin Home Staff, Flamboyant Nursing Home Staff, Ministry of Health Administration and Clerical Staff.

Stage 3e will focus on persons at high-risk of transmitting the infection and young and middle-aged adults who may not have any chronic illness.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris is urging citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to take the vaccine next week when the Federation begins to vaccinate people against the deadly Novel Coronavirus.

Prime Minister Harris, told the sitting of the National Assembly on February 18 that his Government is aware of a global anti-vaccine campaign that has impacted on citizens and has created a challenge to the Federation’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

Dr. Harris told citizens and residents that by taking the vaccine, “You are not only protecting yourself, but also those around you and those who are too young, frail or ill to take the vaccine.”

“The primary objective of the vaccines is to prevent serious illness which may also lead to death,” said Dr. Harris. “There is no better reason to accept the vaccine than that of saving your life and that of your loved ones. The vaccines are safe with no significant side effects so far and they have undergone significant testing to ensure their efficacy and safety.”

“Higher rates of vaccination will eventually reduce the rate of infection, illness, and deaths,” said Dr. Harris. “It will also reduce the possibility of new variants since more infections equal higher chance of mutation to new and possibly dangerous variants. This is a ‘Novel’ disease and so, much is yet to be learned. However, the existing vaccines have all shown from trials data to be effective in preventing serious illness and/death.”

Dr. Harris said that a regional communications unit to promote vaccine acceptance is being coordinated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Caribbean Community’s Communication Unit, will work in conjunction with the Federation’s educational efforts.

Prime Minister Harris noted that the importance of taking the vaccine cannot be overstated.

“Even if you survive the infection and recover, there is the possibility that you might get what is described as Long COVID-19,” said Dr. Harris. “This is generally defined as the lingering effects in some persons infected by the virus. These persons show symptoms or complications beyond the four- to 12-week period considered to be the usual expected time for recovery from infection. This has been found in all levels of infection, from mild to severe. Some of the symptoms are very serious and due to the unknown characteristics of the disease process, is more reason we should all give serious consideration to taking the vaccine,” Prime Minister Harris advised.

The Federation’s mass vaccination plan is expected to begin on Monday, February 22.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) has announced seholarships in its Master and Doctoral Programme on the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law, offered by the Ankara University Research Centre of the Sea and Maritime Law and the Government of Turkey.

Interested persons are asked to apply online via:
<a href="http://https://turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/en/announcement/turkiye-scholarships-2021-applications“>https://turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/en/announcement/turkiye-scholarships-2021-applications

Copies of all applications and accompanying documents should be submitted to the Human Resources Management Department at Government Headquarters on Church Street, Basseterre, no later than February 20, 2021, for further processing. This can be done in person or via the following email hu************@**vt.kn.

Relevant information regarding the program can be found on the website below.
http://dehukam.ankara.edu.tr/en/about-the-program/

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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — MSR Media is gearing up to start filming “One Year Off’ on the island of Nevis, and several residents and nationals have scored prominent roles in the film.

The film’s producer, Philippe Martinez, has confirmed that some well-known locals including Llewelyn “Sunshine” Caines, P. Clayton Huggins, and Charmaine Howell have been cast for speaking roles in the film.

Martinez said more than 200 persons responded to MSR’s casting call for speaking and supporting roles.

“The response we had for the casting was amazing,” said Martinez. “We had over 200 people on the island contacting us.

“I think that next time we will do even more advertising because there are many more people who could have come to the casting, but we have 168 people for the film, which is quite amazing,” he said. “We had an overwhelming response. For the next film we’re going to expand the advertising for the casting so that more people can come.”

Martinez said they found locals with raw talent who could be trained for future roles.

“One thing that really amazed me is the fact that we found some people that have real potential to do several films with us, so that’s really, really exciting,” he said.

Martinez pointed out that trained actor and local businessman, Winston Crooke, assisted MSR Media with casting 168 persons as supporting artistes.

Martinez plans to begin filming during the last week of February. The production crew has already decided on various locations in Nevis that will serve as scenes in the film.

“We have already started to do location scouting…and we have visited a big part of the island,” said Martinez. “We have finished that part of the job because we begin shooting a week from today. We have secured all the locations for the film.

“We have beautiful locations at the Chrishi Beach Club, at Golden Rock Inn, at Sunshine’s Beach Bar and Grill and at sea. So we’re very excited.”

According to Martinez, most of the leading cast is already on island. He said some have completed quarantine while others are scheduled to complete quarantine next week.

The comedy film, ‘One Year Off’ is the first of a two-film production deal between MSR Media and the Nevis Island Administration.

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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Guiseppe Macon-Goudeau, a citizen of the United States of America, and Amanda Chang, a national of Jamaica who resides at Church Ground, Nevis, pled guilty to their charges for quarantine breaches.

Macon-Goudeau was charged on February 15 for the offence of Breaching his Quarantine Conditions and Chang was charged on February 16 for the offence of Visiting a Quarantine Site. Macon-Goudeau arrived in St. Kitts and Nevis on January 31. Later that same day, he left his room to meet Chang at the site’s fence.

They both appeared before the Magistrate Court on February 17 and were ordered to pay $5,000 each forthwith or, in default, spend six months in prison. They paid the fine and were released from Police custody.

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