An Update
on
the COVID-19 Response in
The Bahamas
Dr. The Honourable Duane E. L. Sands, M.P.
Minister of Health
Ministry of Health
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
6th April, 2020
10:00a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
The COVID-19 pandemic is already categorized as the defining global health crisis of our time, and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War Two. Countries are heavily involved in limiting travel, closing borders, testing patients, treating the infected and quarantining those that pose a risk. Conversations about inventories of medical supplies such as masks, gloves, personal protective equipment and ventilators are the order of the day.
Large gatherings have been cancelled, contact tracing has become a household term and schools have been limited to the confines of the home. COVID-19 has touched just about every continent on the planet except Antarctica. It has already threatened to leave very deep wounds and scars of social, economic and political crises.
Mr. Speaker,
The world have never seen anything like this. The world is in unchartered territory and The Bahamas is not exempt.
On 13th March, 2020, The Bahamas recorded its first case of COVID-19. As previously reported, this case was admitted to hospital, subsequently discharged, and clinically has almost fully recovered. In less than one month, confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have increased to twenty-nine (29). Currently, there are
- 23 cases in New Providence;5 cases in Grand Bahama; and
- 1 case from Bimini.
This equates to almost one new case each day. If we continue on this path, our health care system will be overwhelmed and unable to meet the demands. Social and physical distancing and responsible handwashing are the two mitigating actions that will help us to combat the strength of this virus.
Mr. Speaker,
Eleven (11) of the twenty-nine (29) confirmed cases are currently hospitalized with varying clinical conditions:
- Three (3) are very ill; and
- Eight (8) are stable.
Two (2) cases are candidates for discharge.
Fourteen (14) of the twenty-nine (29) confirmed cases presented with mild symptoms, and did not meet the threshold for hospitalization. These patients are in home isolation, and daily monitored by the Surveillance team for any change in their clinical status.
Of those requiring home isolation, ten (10) cases have completed 14 days of isolation since their symptoms began. Four (4) of the ten (10) have been approved for a change in classification to ‘Recovered.’
Contact tracing for each of the twenty-nine (29) confirmed cases remains a priority and on-going activity. More than three hundred (300) contacts have been identified by our Surveillance team.
Mr. Speaker,
The Prime Minister told the Bahamian people last week that he wanted all Bahamians to live and he wanted to live. Mr. Speaker, I also want to live, but already, we have lost five of our citizens. These citizens are fathers, mothers, daughters, aunts and uncles. These untimely deaths, have left an unforgettable void in our country.
The five (5) most recent deaths as follows:
These cases are from the category of the most vulnerable.
- Their ages range from 57 – 80 years old;
- There are three (3) males and two (2) females; and
- One (1) of the deceased is from Bimini, three (3) from New Providence and one (1) from Grand Bahama.
Our Surveillance Team will continually pursue contact tracing for the persons, who were likely exposed by the five COVID-19 related deaths.
Mr. Speaker,
We are in a fight to save lives and flatten the curve. As Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead and infectious disease epidemiologist at the World Health Organization suggests, "Asking the question 'are we doing enough' regularly and repeatedly is
critical." Local data, informatics and predictive modeling can provide useful information to gain insight on how to stop the spread of this deadly virus and mitigate adverse outcomes. From the data presented, here is what we know. Demographically,
- 52% of the cases are ages 40-59 years old;
- the male to female ratio is 1:1;
- there is one (1) imported case and three (3) import-related cases;
- the case fatality rate is 17.2%;
- there is confirmed community spread of the virus;
- the way we culturally socialize has fostered this spread; and
- we have not yet reached the peak of the outbreak in The Bahamas.
These facts and figures help to inform sound public health decisions, and guide policies for returning citizens to work, children to school, and the relaxation of currently imposed restrictions.
Mr. Speaker,
We are keenly aware of the heighten vulnerability of health care workers. Frontline warriors have been exposed to the virus when ill persons visit health facilities. They also come in contact withasymptomatic carriers or persons who show no symptoms, but are sources of the virus.
Interestingly, Mr. Speaker, almost 1 in 5 confirmed cases (18%) have been health care workers. Among these confirmed positive COVID-19 health care worker, two (2) have had to be hospitalized. What is more worrisome, is that more than fifty (50) health care workers have been identified as contacts of diagnosed/confirmed cases. These health care workers are currently in quarantine, and are being monitored for the development of symptoms.
Clearly, if more health care workers are removed from the available pool, there will be no soldiers left to fight the COVID war. We must protect our frontline workers. The best way to do this is to stay at home!
We are mindful that our health care workers have families. No one is safe at home if someone in the house is serving on the frontline. To ease this concern, my Ministry is exploring relief accommodations that can house at least one hundred (100) health care workers for a period of time. Such accommodations will permit these workers to rest up in between shifts and even take showers before leaving to go home. We plan to give further updates on these accommodations soon
...to continue see attached remarks
