COVID-19 UPDATE- No new cases today

Barbados has recorded no increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases since Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Health.

In its latest update issued today, the Ministry said it’s the first time since the first two cases were diagnosed on March 16,  that the island has not recorded any new cases of COVID-19 for two consecutive days.

According to the Ministry out of a total of 65 tests carried out on April 15 and 16, no one tested positive for the viral illness.

Commenting on the development, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anton Best stated today: “It’s a good sign, but we want to warn people not to become complacent.

“They must continue to follow the public health advice to stay indoors as much as possible, and limit contact with others.  Practise proper hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing. These are the measures that give us the best chance of containing this outbreak, and we must stay on course.”

The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory has conducted 965 tests for COVID-19 since February 11, 75 of which have been positive.  This number comprised 38 females and 37 males.

Five Barbadians have succumbed to the illness, 15 have so far recovered and 55 remain in isolation. (BT/BGIS)