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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2020 - 5:37:54 AM |
 Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis
COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator
Special Adviser to the Prime Minister
COVID-19 Update Press Conference
The Ministry of Health
Tuesday 14 July 2020
Good afternoon,
Here is the latest update on COVID-19 in The Bahamas.
SLIDES 1 and 2 (Epi - Curve Bahamas + Cumulative Cases and Death)
Today we can confirm three new case s of COVID-19.Case number 114 is a female resident of New Providence with a travel - related history.She is currently in home isolation.
Case s 115 and 116 are both males of Grand Bahama and both are in isolation.
The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas is now at 116.
Of that number, 84 are in New Providence, 1 8 in Grand Bahama, 13 in Bimini and 1 in Cat Cay.
SLIDE 3 (New COVID-19 cases, All Bahamas)
Ten new case were reported in Week 17, of which eight were in Grand Bahama.
The chart indicates that the peak of the first phase of the national outbreak was around Weeks 3 - 6.
The National picture provides insufficient evidence to suggest that a new outbreak may be occurring in New Providence due to a single new case in Week 17.
The Hill’s prediction for New Providence to Week 17 indicated that two new cases could be expected, so this single case is within what might be expected.
SLIDE 4 (Epi - Curve Grand Bahama)
However, a different picture emerges from Grand Bahama which ha d not had a new case since the 4th May.
The new cases in the incomplete Week 16 of the outbreak in Grand Bahama represent a relatively large increase ( eight ) in the total number of cases confirmed on that island.
The total number of recovered cases is at 91.There are 13 active cases. Deaths remain at 11. There is one hospitalized case.
A total of 2545 tests have been completed.
Testing remains a priority of the Ministry of Health.
As of the 13 th July, t here were some 2050 tests completed by our National Reference Laboratory. 159 tests were sent to Lab Corp in the United States, and some 327 tests wer e completed by the Access Medical Laboratory of Jupiter, Florida when persons were tested on Cat Cay.
SLIDE 5 (Laboratory Testing)
Each case requires two consecutive negative tests to be marked as recovered. Until the case is recovered, swabs are taken repeatedly.
Doctors Hospital has launched its RT-PCR molecular COVID-19 testing at a fee and is able to provide results within 24 hours.
The Lyford Cay Hospital also offers RT-PCR testing. Many have asked about mass testing of asymptomatic individuals in the community. Mass testing is most helpful in identifying cases when there is community spread.
Testing will identify a case but this must be accompanied by contact tracing, testing of contacts, isolation of cases and quarantine of contacts.
This approach or methodology used by the surveillance team identifies any additional cases early, prevents the spread of the virus, decreases the number of new cases, minimizes the hospitalization and need for ICU care. Collectively this approach would result in flattening of the curve
...To continue see attached
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