The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is today reporting that during the period 12:01p.m. Saturday April 23, 2022 to today Wednesday April 27, 2022 (as of 12 noon) 27 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded; all of which were locally transmitted.

This brings the number of active cases on Montserrat to 38, as there was also one recovery during the reporting period.

48 results are pending and 92 people are in quarantine.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is urging residents to be vigilant to protect themselves from the virus by wearing facial coverings and social distancing when in public spaces and by practicing good hand hygiene.

Source: GIU Montserrat

Beachgoers, Spear and Shoreline Fishers are advised to use caution and remain vigilant when venturing onto affected coastlines as powerful waves can put your life at risk.Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed northern and north-facing coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.

Timing: until Saturday morning

Synopsis: Moderate long period swells are expected to reach the area and affect mainly northern and north-facing coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is forecast to rise to high, with the potential for extensive impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents for affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.

Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3 metres (10 feet). Swell period: 9 to 13 seconds. Swells: North at 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.

Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localized coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low lying coastal roads; beach closures; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.

Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the south. Extreme caution is also required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Forecaster: Dale Destin

The Ministry of Health and Social Services is today alerting residents of a sharp increase in cases of COVID-19 on island.

The cases have been found to be primarily locally transmitted; meaning the infected individuals have no recent travel history.

Children also appear to be most affected in this current outbreak.Samples have been sent to CARPHA for genomic sequencing to determine the variant in circulation and contract tracing is on-going.

Residents are asked to assist the Ministry in containing this virus by isolating and reporting any flu-like symptoms experienced to the Ministry via telephone numbers 496-7437 or 493-4755.

Additionally, residents should be vigilant to protect themselves from the virus by wearing facial coverings and social distancing when in public spaces and by practicing good hand hygiene.

Unvaccinated individuals are invited to register for Moderna COVID-19 vaccination by contacting the St. John’s Health Centre at 492-5218.The latest COVID-19 figures will be published in the next dashboard, however as of April 23, 2022 there were twelve active cases on island.

Source: GIU

Today, World Earth Day highlights the important work being done on the island for the benefit of Montserrat and, to advance preparation in the event of an oil spill occurring on our shores.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA in collaboration with the Montserrat Port Authority, MPA continues to make significant progress in the development and implementation of a national Oil Spill Preparedness and Response programme should an oil spill occur on our shores.

The DMCA and the MPA have conducted series of oil-spill training exercises with a number of key agencies to minimize and effectively respond to any oil spill on Montserrat. They are the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF), Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) Marine Unit, Montserrat Port Authority, Delta Petroleum Limited, and the DMCA. The exercises also involved shore clean up and assessment training.

Additionally, a national oil spill plan has been drafted to take to Parliament for ratification. This Oil spill plan is the bedrock for effective preparedness and response to oil spill emergencies on Montserrat. It also provides for the establishment of an effective and coordinated national oil spill preparedness and response system.

Senior Disaster Management Coordinator at the DMCA, Astrid Wade who is spearheading Montserrat’s national Oil Spill Preparedness and Response programme, says the training exercises were well received by all the participants, however, legislation and enforcement measures are critical to the success of the national oil spill programme.

An oil spill is one of the most dangerous manmade disasters. An oil spill can poison waterways, kill vegetation, and destroy environments and wildlife and caused irreparable harm to humans exposed to oil spills.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provided the equipment, booms, skimmers and, Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National Response to an Oil Spill on Montserrat.

Earth Day came about following a huge oil spill off the Santa Barbara coastline in Southern California on January 28, 1969.The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest In Our Planet.”

June 1 marks the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Colorado State University recently released their 2022 Hurricane Seasonal outlook, which predicts another active season.

No matter what the hurricane season outlook predicts, it’s important to remember that it only takes one storm to devastate Montserrat. Now is the time to prepare your home and your family.

Speaking to ZJB News, DMCA’s Information and Education Shirlian Queeley encourages residents and visitors on Montserrat to assess their vulnerabilities now, as seasonal storms can develop before June 1st.Click on the link below to here more on this story.

Beachgoers, Spear and Shoreline Fishers are advised to use caution and remain vigilant when venturing onto affected coastlines as powerful waves can put your life at risk.

According to a High Surf Caution issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services today, moderate long period swells are reaching the area and affecting mainly northern and north-facing coastlines.

Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed northern and eastern coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.

Timing: Friday morning until Saturday for Montserrat.

Synopsis: The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is expected to rise to moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents for affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.

Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3 metres (10 feet). Swell period: 9 to 14 seconds.

Swells: North at 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.

Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localized coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low lying coastal roads; beach closures; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.

Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only on the sheltered less affected beaches. Extreme caution is also required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on natural and man-made hazards to which Montserrat is prone.

Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains low.

The seismic network recorded no volcanic events the week.

There are no SO2 flux measurements to report during this reporting period.

Due to the large size of the lava dome, pyroclastic flows can occur at any time without warning on any side of the volcano, including Gages from where they can travel rapidly into Plymouth. Tracks across the Belham Valley can be destroyed or heavily modified by flash flooding or lahars, and caution should be exercised crossing the valley during and after rainfall.

The Hazard Level is 1.

There is no public access to Zone V, including Plymouth. Maritime Zones E and W are daytime transit only between sunrise and sunset (boats may sail through the zone but must not stop). Anyone who ignores these restrictions is liable to be prosecuted.

Volcanic Activity Report: Graham Ryan, MVO Director

We’re inching closer and closer to the official start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season. Today, March 21st, 2022 marks 72 days until the start of the season which is on June 1.

However, the National Hurricane Center will start to issue Tropical Weather Outlooks starting May 15, 2022, as we have been seeing tropical systems develop before the official start of the season.

The countdown is a good reminder for residents and visitors to start getting their hurricane plans ready.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center is currently forecasting this current La Ni?a phase to stick around for a little longer with a transition back to near neutral conditions not likely taking place until late spring. A La Niña phase would lead to less wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean which could translate to more storms.

Inexperienced Mariners and Fisherfolks on Montserrat, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.

According to a Small Craft Caution issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services today Tuesday 15 March 2022, fresh to strong winds are causing a combination of wind waves and wind swells to reach hazardous levels, especially in open waters on the Atlantic side of the island.

Synopsis: The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is moderate to high with the potential for significant to extensive impacts. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.

Winds over open waters: East-northeast at 26 to 41 km/h (14 to 22 knots; 16 to 25 mph), with strong gusts to around 63 km/h (34 knots; 39 mph).

Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 3.3. metres (7 to 11 feet), occasionally or locally reaching over 4 metres (14 feet).

Wind waves and or wind swells: 1.8 to 2.7 metres or 6 to 9 feet and occasionally higher. The dominant wind wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life at sea; injuries to mariners; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; financial losses; disruption of fisheries and scarcity of fish products and disruption to marine transportation.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on natural and man-made hazards to which Montserrat is prone.

According to a High Surf Caution issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services today Tuesday, 15 March 2022.

Locations to be affected: Reefs and exposed eastern coastlines with relatively shallow, gently to moderately sloping, nearshore areas.

Synopsis: Moderate long period swells are reaching the area and are affecting eastern coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surfs and rip currents for affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.Seas (significant wave heights): 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 4 metres (13 feet).

Swell period: 9 to 14 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.

Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.

Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localized coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low lying coastal roads; beach closures; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.

Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the west. Extreme caution is also required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on natural and man-made hazards to which Montserrat is prone.