Coroner’s office confirms 24 more COVID-19 deaths

The COVID-19 death toll in Barbados now stands at 430.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said an additional 24 persons were found to have died from viral illness, following testing conducted by the Coroner’s Office on persons who passed away suddenly in the community before being tested or accessing appropriate care.

The ministry explained: “It is the policy of the Coroner’s Office to rule out COVID-19 as the likely cause of death since autopsies cannot be performed on persons who are known to have died from or with COVID-19.

“It must, however, be noted that, in all cases, the primary cause of death may not have been COVID-19 but this diagnosis was found at the time of death.”

The Ministry said it was seeking to provide the public of Barbados with accurate information as it relates to COVID-19. (MHW)