Stage 2: COVID-19 cases jump to 14

With the number of COVID-19 cases in Barbados jumping from six to 14 over the past 24 hours, the island has moved to stage 2 of the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, with immediate effect

This was revealed by health officials this evening during the COVID-19 briefing, where it was also announced that as Government fights to contain the spread of the virus, no more than 25 people would be allowed to assemble for social gatherings, 75 less than was allowed as of yesterday.

Minister of Health and Wellness Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic said seven of the new patients were detected through aggressive contact tracing, and one was a visitor to the island.

“Let me stress that at this stage there is no community developments in terms of cases in Barbados, and we are managing this process and we expected and anticipated that there would have been an increase in the numbers, because that is a result of contact tracing and it is very important for the Ministry and its officials is to be able to identity, locate and treat to all contacts so that we could contain the spread of this virus in this country,” Bostic said.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best said the nine females and five males who tested positive are currently in isolation and being treated as mild cases. However, Dr Best stressed that they must be monitored in a health-care facility setting because their conditions can deteriorate at any time.

“Quarantine is absolutely essential to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Barbados,” Dr Best said.

He said that the Ministry was willfully respecting patient confidentiality and would not be providing information that impairs patient tracing efforts.

However, the CMO did mention that seven of the persons who tested positive would have been to many places on the island.

Dr Best also indicated that the quarantine facility being used can accommodate 60 beds, while 46 persons can be accommodated in isolation.

“We have sufficient supplies of Personal Protective Equipment and we have ordered more which will be in shortly. But as it stands right now, current stock levels are adequate for PPE,” Dr Best said. (AH)