thebahamasweekly.com - 574 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Weather
574 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas
By Llonella Gilbert
Jul 31, 2020 - 7:26:18 PM

Minister of Health the Hon. Renward Wells speaks to the Bahamian public at a COVID-19 Update Press Conference at the National Emergency Management Agency Headquarters, Friday, July 31, 2020. (BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Nassau, The Bahamas -- To date, there have been 574 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas and of the total cases, 91 individuals have recovered, Minister of Heath the Hon. Renward Wells said at a COVID-19 Update Press Conference at the National Emergency Management Agency Headquarters, Friday, July 31, 2020.

Minister Wells stated, “After a thorough investigation, during this current surge, three additional deaths have been confirmed to be deaths due to COVID-19, thus bringing the death toll to 14.”

He explained that currently, there are 467 active cases of COVID-19, including 19 in hospital (six in Grand Bahama and 13 in Doctors Hospital West). The Health Ministry dashboard shows the total positive COVID-19 cases include –

232 in New Providence;
286 in Grand Bahama;
21 cases in Bimini;
18 cases in Abaco. Nine of those cases are in Moore’s Island, nine in Great Guana Cay, and one in Sandy Point;
There are six cases in the Berry Islands;
Four in Cat Cay;
Three in Cat Island; and
Three in Exuma.

Minister Wells said, “The statistics confirm that The Bahamas is in a surge. We have experienced increases mainly in Grand Bahama and New Providence. Unfortunately, as indicated, The Bahamas is now experiencing COVID-19 positive cases in our Family Islands.

“The COVID-19 surge has put a significant strain on resources including bed capacity of our health system. In response, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) has activated an aggressive reconfiguration of wards at the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Rand Memorial Hospital, and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. This reconfiguration is geared toward better managing patient admissions subject to their medical needs and gender.”

He noted that the current exposure of employees and patients across the nation’s hospitals is being managed subject to international Infection Prevention Control guidelines for infectious outbreaks of this kind and the policies of PHA. Every effort is being made to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the institutions.

The Health Minister added that the PHA has increased the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff working across hospitals to ensure the safety and protection of valued employees.

He said, “Every effort is being made to ensure that no COVID-19 positive patients are housed or treated at the main campuses of our hospitals.

Minister Wells added, “The public is asked to partner with us as we fight to contain this pandemic by contacting their personal physicians or local community clinics during the day for non-emergencies, and only accessing the Accident & Emergency Department in the event of an actual emergency or after-hour services. Similarly, requests for Ambulance Services should be limited to EMERGENCIES ONLY.”