January 29, 2021
A single case of the coronavirus has been confirmed at the Geriatric Hospital, Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic announced Thursday but sought to assure that health authorities are “on top of this one” as they seek to prevent a full-on outbreak among some of the most vulnerable to a lethal bout of COVID-19.
Upon hearing of the positive result, Lt Col Bostic revealed, the Chief Medical Officer and two senior medical officers of health were immediately dispatched to the hospital, with so far, no additional positive cases arising from rapid antigen tests done.
He told journalists: “We are on top of this one in the sense that it is one ward, of about 16 persons, and then the staff, meaning doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff. So far, as of all the residents, patients, as well as the staff, have done an antigen rapid test, and all results are negative. As we speak, the staff are going through the swabbing process now for
January 26, 2021
Even as the country braces for tighter measures expected in the coming days, president of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), Edward Clarke believes the current protocols in place are stringent enough.
However, he says the nonchalant behaviour exhibited by some Barbadians and visitors is responsible for the continued spread of COVID-19.
On Saturday during a televised press conference Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic declared that there was community spread in Barbados.
With the country already under a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until the end of the month, Bostic hinted that stricter measures were coming.
Region records variant cases
Article by January 26, 2021
The region’s main public health laboratory today confirmed that the deadly United Kingdom variant of the COVID-19 virus has now spread across the Caribbean chain from Jamaica in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south.
Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Dr Joy St John said the evidence came to light following tests carried out on samples recently sent to the Port of Spain-based laboratory by several member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
While Dr St John declined to name Barbados as one of the states which has the variant, the Government has already publicly said it had sent samples to CARPHA to determine if the new strain was here.
PM issues warning against unreasonable demands
Article by January 21, 2021
Prime Minister Mia Mottley today assured all healthcare frontline workers engaged in the COVID-19 fight that they will be granted hazard pay, but under certain conditions.
Mottley, who is also Minister of Finance, warned the workers during a press conference to update the country on the latest developments surrounding the coronavirus, that the Government would only be able to afford so much and no more.
In fact, the Prime Minister put the employees and unions on notice that any demands for hazard pay that exceeded what her administration could afford, would plunge the country further back into economic troubles.