It was disclosed in a virtual COVID-19 media briefing held on Thursday, October 14, that only 12.3 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated against the virus and just under 80% of the population have not received even a first dose. And despite the COVID-19 positivity rate trending downward and the reproductive rate decreasing, there is still a high level of transmission across all parishes. This as the country’s vaccination rate remains low.

Chief Medical Officer, (CMO) Dr. Jacquline Bissasor-Mckenzie notes that the vast majority of persons now hospitalized due to COVID-19 are unvaccinated; this she noted amounts to 99.3% of persons that are moderately, critically and severely ill. Also on the decline is the number of children being hospitalized due to the virus. The CMO however noted, that there is a concern regarding the increase in women who are pregnant or have just given birth who are being hospitalized with the COVID-19 virus. She urged pregnant and new mothers to get vaccinated, as she noted that all COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton gave an update on the development of a digital COVID-19 vaccination card.

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: