|
From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
We report that on that visit a total of 37 people were swabbed for COVID-19, and three tested positive. To date, a total of 78 people on Bimini have been tested, and 11 have been found positive. SLIDE 2 (Comparisons of cases in the islands) We have heard the recommendation to quarantine Bimini for two weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is being given serious consideration at this time. SLIDE 3 (Daily # of cases by death) We continue to make progress. The daily number of confirmed cases has not increased above 5. We have had multiple periods with no new confirmed cases. Specifically, in Grand Bahama, we recorded a two-week period when no confirmed cases were reported. SLIDE 4 (Daily and Cumulative # of cases/deaths: combined SLIDES 5 (Bimini, Projection), 6 (Grand Bahama, Projection) and 7 (New Providence, Projection) 8 (All Bahamas, Long-term Projection) As indicators reveal, the epidemiological curve has shown periods of flattening over the past few weeks based on the compliance of Bahamians to the lockdowns and curfews. The Ministry of Health remains concerned about the number of frontline healthcare workers who have contracted COVID-19. Exposures to COVID-19 have been experienced at a number of healthcare locations, including Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital. Notwithstanding known social exposures. SLIDE 9 (Breakdown of healthcare workers) To date, The Bahamas has 22 healthcare workers who have contracted COVID-19. Of the 22, there are:
These professionals account for 23.9 percent of total cases in The Bahamas. SLIDE 10 (COVID-19 Among HCW by country) Regionally, The Bahamas ranks high for the percentage of total COVID-19 infections occurring in healthcare workers. Consequently, plans are in process to closely investigate the reasons why so many healthcare workers have been affected by COVID-19 in the country. This investigation would support the identification of the most appropriate infection prevention and control measures to be strengthened to better protect healthcare workers. It will also identify vulnerabilities and characteristics of exposure risk factors. A case-controlled study will also catergorise risk and the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures currently in place. This information will also inform the international scientific community recommendations on prevention and management of COVID-19 infections in healthcare workers. The Ministry of Health is concerned about the number of healthcare workers who provide additional services outside of the major health facilities. Since the 21st of April when the Emergency Powers Orders related to the provision of home care services were signed to give effect to improved medical, therapeutic or other patient care in homes and residential care facilities, more than 130 home care providers have contacted and submitted documents to the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. All persons provided details on their training, qualification and practice. A number of them have completed infection control protocol training provided by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Early Access Training Centre prior to providing any further care. Letters authorizing these persons to continue providing home care services are issued by the Ministry of Health. We have been asked to provide specific health indicators for the phased approach to loosen measures and return to a sense of normalcy. A careful risk assessment has been completed and a staged approach designed to balance the benefits and potential harms of adjusting these measures. As the Prime Minister outlined in his most recent National Address, the following criteria are considered by the health team when recommendations are made for moving from one phase to the other and relaxations of existing restrictions: The number of new cases over specified time intervals together with model predictions. The capacity of the health system to respond to increased number of cases. The number and dispersion of contacts of confirmed cases throughout the archipelago. Identification of vulnerabilities in congregate facilities, for example churches, funerals, social gatherings and long stay facilities. Compliance with existing restrictions. Careful considerations have been made to ensure we do not trigger a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and jeopardize the health of the Bahamian population. We continue to monitor the institutional capacity to respond to acutely ill cases. We have been successful in managing the COVID-19 hospital requirements through the hardworking teams at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Doctors Hospital West and the South Beach Centre. We have increased our testing capacity considerably at our National Reference Lab. This is in no small measure attributable to the hard work, keen focus and determination of Dr. Indira Martin and Dr. Jessica Edwards. The testing capacity and various aspects of our overall response have been greatly aided by generous partners and donors. The Pan American Health Organization has been a faithful partner to the Ministry of Health. Under the leadership of the current PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Esther de Gourville, The Bahamas has received invaluable aid. Before I invite Dr. de Gourville to speak about this significant partnership, I would like again to thank Bahamians for their compliance to the public health advice and following the Emergency Orders. More than two hundred and sixty-four thousand people have died from this virus worldwide. We must stay disciplined. We must keep following the rules. If we do, we will keep the number of cases to a minimum and be able to open up more of our economy sooner. Thank you, and good afternoon.
|
Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis