The Ministry of Health in St Vincent says that the recent increase in respiratory illness among islanders is a cause for concern.

“There is an increase in the number of people experiencing respiratory symptoms and fever,” said Dr Roger Duncan, the Medical Officer of Health. “So you’ve got a cough, a cold, and a runny nose. “Your cough may be dry or productive.”

Duncan noted that not all cases of respiratory illness tested positive for COVID-19 despite the ministry seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Between Sunday, May 7 to Saturday, May 13, the country recorded 12 new cases. This brings the country’s total number of cases to 9,631. The total number of individuals who recovered from the virus was 9,493.

He urged citizens who are feeling ill not to show up to work but instead visit a health care provider.