As the coronavirus spreads virtually unchecked among thousands, unfounded rumour has also gone viral, claiming one of the country’s top disease fighters as its latest victim.
Head of Isolation Facilities Dr Corey Forde is still leading the charge against the current surge of COVID-19, said Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic on the floor of the House of Assembly on Wednesday after a flurry of rumours that he had been sent on leave.
“Just to put an end to some rumours that have been circulating recently, Dr Corey Forde is still working as the person responsible for the management of isolation facilities in Barbados,” the health minister told the House of Assembly.
As he spoke on a resolution to extend the Public Health Emergency for another six months, Lt Col Bostic said he was baffled by the rumours circulating during the day on social media that Dr Forde was no longer in his position.
He said he and Dr Forde were in constant talks several times a week about the Delta variant wave and the steps that have to be taken or changed.
He said: “I met with him this morning online, virtually as I always do every single day, I spoke with him last night, he is not on any form of leave, and he is performing exceedingly well and he will continue to do so.
“Like for me, like Dr Forde, there is no retreat, no surrender.”
The Minister of Health added that Prime Minister Mia Mottley herself consistently spoke to Dr. Forde daily and there was no hint of truth to the current rumour that he is no longer in his position.
He declared it was a poor and malicious attempt to create havoc in an already uneasy situation for Barbadians.
“I don’t know where that came from, but let me say once and for all, not only is it fake news, but it is a very poor joke [by] someone attempting to create havoc in the place,” Lt Col Bostic said. (SB)
