GG, CJ in quarantine

Two of three highest officers of the state – the Governor-General, Dame Sandra Mason and Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham – have gone into self-quarantine after possible exposure to the coronavirus, the Prime Minister said in an announcement Thursday.

Dame Sandra is self-isolating after an outbreak of illness among staff at Government House, prompting public health officials to swing into action, while the head of the judiciary, Sir Patterson is in quarantine out of an abundance of caution while a contact undergoes testing after showing symptoms associated with COVID.

Prime Minister Mottley explained: “There was a member of the household staff [at Government House], one of the drivers or orderlies, who would have tested positive, and the public health officials went in. They did the extensive contact tracing, and the good news is, on the first test she [Governor General] is fine, she is negative which came back a few hours ago, but we have had to move everyone out of Government House, to allow for the in-depth sanitising that has to take place.

“Regrettably, because of the level of exposure of the person, and the viral load of the person, Her Excellency will have to remain in quarantine, and her family, until the second test is done, and I am sure all Barbadians will want to join me, in ensuring that we pray and make sure that there is no further exposure there.”

But Sir Patterson was in quarantine out of an abundance of caution, rather than because of any direct exposure to a COVID-positive individual, the Prime Minister stressed.

She said: “His Lordship Chief Justice is also in quarantine at this stage – largely as the result of someone, who is close to someone who works with him, displaying symptoms and are awaiting results of the test to determine, what is the best course of action. Similarly, the public health officials have been in contact with Sir Patterson, and they have all agreed that at this stage, self-quarantining is all that is required for him at this stage.”

In her brief appearance at the Ilaro Court Press conference, PM Mottley also delivered news that three new cases have been identified among the nursing and auxiliary staff at the Geriatric Hospital.

Mottley said an expansion of testing at the hospital, uncovered the three new cases and health officials have redoubled their efforts at contact tracing.

She said: “In the testing that was done of the overall staff and the overall patients, we have three persons that would have come back. We are in the process of looking to see how we can facilitate those staff members in terms of accessing more hotel accommodations for quarantine facilities for them, as is necessary. At the same time, we are asking staff to meet with the staff, in addition to having the contact tracing completed, for them to be able to literally advise what the best course of action is.”

Mottley said she received the news from Minister of Health Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic and Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George while she was in a meeting with doctors.

She also expressed concern at the level of fake news in circulation, and pleaded with the public to continue getting news updates only from official sources, and not hearsay.

“I do not want these things coming out without coming from official sources, because there is just too much fake news going on in this country,” she said. “Too much fake allegations.”

A week ago, when Health Minister Lt Col Bostic announced the first case at the Geriatric Hospital, he declared: “We are on top of this one in the sense that it is one ward, of about 16 persons, and then the staff, meaning doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff.”

After the first case was confirmed, contingency plans immediately swung into effect, with patients who tested negative being relocated to the St Lucy District Hospital. (SB)