Death claims more Bajans amid COVID surge

Barbados appeared on Friday to be going through the deadliest phase of the coronavirus pandemic so far with the deaths of four more Barbadians in as many days, bringing the death toll to 18 – more than double the number in the first six weeks of 2021 than in all of 2020.

A 75-year-old woman – the first case of COVID-19 reported at the Geriatric Hospital – and an 83-year-old man who lived alone died between Thursday and Friday, a release from the COVID Communications Unit said.

The statement said, “The lady was a former patient of the Geriatric Hospital in St Michael when she took ill. She was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 27, but was transferred to Harrison Point two days later when a PCR test showed her to be COVID-positive.

The second patient was an 83-year-old man who died at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on Thursday, the health authorities said.

According to the statement: “The senior lived alone and on February 3, after not being seen for some time, friends and neighbours broke into his rural home in an attempt to help him. He was found to be unwell and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was seen in the Accident and Emergency Department. He died there yesterday (February 4).”

In extending condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, Minister of Health Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic described the case of the elderly man as “very sad”.

He said: “This shows the importance of being our neighbours’ keeper and looking out for each other. This is a time to get back the traditional community spirit and support each other.”

In the case of the elderly Geriatric Hospital patient, Lt Col Bostic said: “Her case shows the necessity of being vigilant in relation to the elderly, who have been the majority of those dying from COVID in Barbados. The majority of our seniors are getting infected in their homes, through contact with close relatives, caregivers and friends who are circulating in public and are then in contact with the elderly.”

He cautioned Barbadians to be very careful around senior citizens and those who suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases.

“We should definitely be wearing our masks around these vulnerable persons, washing our hands frequently and maintaining the distance of six feet.” the minister said. “Lives depend on our observing the safety protocols and guidelines.”
(SD/PR)