Government slow to act, says Atherley

Opposition Leader Reverend Joseph Atherley believes Government’s downplaying of the prevalence of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Barbados is to blame for the substantial increase in the number of cases.

Atherley said the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ decision not to acknowledge the presence of the variant for fear of causing panic had backfired.

“Government was too slow to acknowledge the presence of the Delta variant here in Barbados. It probably was understandable that they didn’t want to cause alarm, but the other side of the issue takes on greater importance in that people need to be informed because when people are informed and aware then they are likely to change their behaviour,” Atherley told Barbados TODAY during a telephone interview today.

“I think we were too slow in recognizing the presence of the Delta variant and we were also minimizing the significance of the presence of that variant. The Prime Minister herself said it doesn’t matter what variant you have, observe the protocols and you’re fine, but we’ve known from then and still up to now that that was not a valid statement to make because the Delta variant is far more

contagious and infectious. It spreads far more easily and we’re now facing down that.”
However, Atherley said he hoped the increased numbers would not overrun the island’s healthcare system.

He said while Government had put some additional measures in place, he was well aware the Delta variant had the potential to do significant damage to the healthcare system and the economy.

“My fear is the challenge which has been presented to the system, to do contact tracing as vibrantly and as effectively as possible and to respond to the increasing spikes and cases. I see Government is now opening a couple of other schools and making arrangements for hotel capacity for those who need to be quarantined or isolated and I hope that the numbers do not become such that the system is overwhelmed,” Atherley said.

“It has always been a concern of mine that if you don’t acknowledge who comes into Barbados and if you do not properly acknowledge the presence of the more contagious variants, and people continue with their behaviour with a sense of complacency or that we were past the worst that it would come to this.

“What I have heard coming from professional’s mouth is the extent to which the cases in Barbados could rise is alarming…this thing has the potential to wipe out Barbados…our economy could be devastated, our health systems could become totally overwhelmed “I hope we would not reach that stage.” (RB)