PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

HEALTH MINISTRY DEBUNKS OBSERVER HEADLINE ABOUT SUSPECTED CORONAVIRUS CASES IN ANTIGUA

GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment
Long and High Street
ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA, W.I.
Telephone: 462-5522

Friday, January 31, 2020

6:15 pm
The Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment states categorically that the headline caption ran by the Observer Media house stating that there are two suspected cases of coronavirus, is FALSE.
Earlier today (January 31st 2020) in a Press Conference held at the Ministry, the Minister informed that there were two travellers who were placed under quarantine. These travellers are not suspected cases. These two individuals who recently travelled from China were quarantined as part of the current prevention protocols instituted to monitor all travellers arriving by air from China.
The actions of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is in keeping with standard infection prevention and control practice throughout the region of the Americas
The Minister regrets this deliberate attempt to disseminate falsified information.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment therefore appeals to the nation to act responsibly and not to spread false information that can negatively impact all Antiguans and Barbudans in light of this recent serious health threat.