The island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has recorded almost double the HIV diagnoses in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the AIDS Secretariat. From January to June this year, there were 45 HIV/AIDS cases reported, up from 24 cases during the first six months last year. There were 66 cases total in 2007, and diagnoses have been increasing steadily in recent years. The secretariat is encouraging people to find out their HIV status and has the goal of screening 1,200 people this year. "Finding out your status and taking care of yourself should be the most important thing to anyone,” said Delcora Williams, deputy AIDS program manager. “People need to remember that being HIV-positive is not a death sentence and with treatment their lives can be prolonged."

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