WITH droves of Haitians showing up in the southern Bahamas, the Pan American Health Organization has revealed that fewer than one percent of that country's citizens have been inoculated against COVID-19.

Over the past five days, roughly 900 Haitians escaping extreme poverty in their country arrived in the area of Inagua and Ragged Island. Thousands more have found themselves on the border of Mexico and Texas. #On July 7 this year, Haiti saw the assassination of its President, Jovenel Moise. Then on August 14 the southwest portion of Haiti experienced an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale. Two days later, on August 16, the country experienced a direct hit from Tropical Depression Grace. #Newly appointed Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville came under fire over the weekend on social media because while addressing the apprehended Haitians he let them know that serious health precautions had to be taken as they might have had diseases not experienced in The Bahamas. #“We are now in a situation where it is important for us to ensure that the public health situation in The Bahamas is kept,” Dr Darville said. #“You are from Haiti, because of your country and the way how it is, you are exposed to more pathogens than exist in our country. It is important for you to follow the instructions of our healthcare professionals to protect you and to protect us.” #On Monday, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said various tests have been conducted on migrants for the detection of COVID-19 and other diseases but none of the results so far have created any cause for concern. #Addressing the organisation’s weekly webinar on COVID-19, Dr Carissa Etienne, PAHO’s director, not only revealed the low percentage of COVID-19 inoculations in Haiti, but also said PAHO is working diligently with the Haitian government to increase allocations of the vaccine. #“In Haiti, fewer than one percent of people have been protected so far,” Dr Etienne said. “We are on the ground in Haiti helping the country make the most of the vaccines it has on hand and working with the Haitian government and international partner NGOs to plan for additional allocations of vaccine supply in the coming months. Special attention is also focused on uptake of vaccines in the areas affected by the earthquake.

Over the past five days, roughly 900 Haitians escaping extreme poverty in their country arrived in the area of Inagua and Ragged Island. Thousands more have found themselves on the border of Mexico and Texas.

On July 7 this year, Haiti saw the assassination of its President, Jovenel Moise. Then on August 14 the southwest portion of Haiti experienced an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale. Two days later, on August 16, the country experienced a direct hit from Tropical Depression Grace.

Newly appointed Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville came under fire over the weekend on social media because while addressing the apprehended Haitians he let them know that serious health precautions had to be taken as they might have had diseases not experienced in The Bahamas.

“We are now in a situation where it is important for us to ensure that the public health situation in The Bahamas is kept,” Dr Darville said.

“You are from Haiti, because of your country and the way how it is, you are exposed to more pathogens than exist in our country. It is important for you to follow the instructions of our healthcare professionals to protect you and to protect us.”

On Monday, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said various tests have been conducted on migrants for the detection of COVID-19 and other diseases but none of the results so far have created any cause for concern.

Addressing the organisation’s weekly webinar on COVID-19, Dr Carissa Etienne, PAHO’s director, not only revealed the low percentage of COVID-19 inoculations in Haiti, but also said PAHO is working diligently with the Haitian government to increase allocations of the vaccine.

“In Haiti, fewer than one percent of people have been protected so far,” Dr Etienne said. “We are on the ground in Haiti helping the country make the most of the vaccines it has on hand and working with the Haitian government and international partner NGOs to plan for additional allocations of vaccine supply in the coming months. Special attention is also focused on uptake of vaccines in the areas affected by the earthquake.

 

HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville urged Bahamians not to become overly optimistic about the slight drop in recent COVID-19 infections, saying the declining numbers could be a result of low virus testing.

His comments came as the country recorded 111 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 additional virus deaths on Wednesday. The day before saw 91 cases recorded, while 39 cases were reported on Monday and 34 on Sunday. The country now has a total of 20,490 cases, 1,639 of which are still active. There have also been 522 COVID deaths confirmed since the start of the pandemic. #In its September 22 dashboard, the Ministry of Health reported that 10 people had died from the virus between September 8 and September 19. #Three of the victims were from Grand Bahama while the remaining seven were New Providence residents. Their ages range from 44 to 82. #Speaking about the nation’s COVID-19 situation yesterday, Dr Darville admitted that officials have seen some positive signs that cases may be decreasing in the country, but said more data is needed to determine this fact. #Notwithstanding this, he said it’s still important for Bahamians to not let their guards down as the drop in numbers could be a result of decreased testing. #“We’re seeing signs that the cases may be falling, but we are mindful not to be too optimistic at this time because that may be a direct result of lack of testing so we have to get the facts together and put the puzzle together that revolves around the science and then we will be pleased to allow the media to know where we’re at and to allow the Bahamian people to understand the situation,” Dr Darville told reporters before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. #On the campaign trail, the Progressive Liberal Party promised that once elected, it would stabilise the country’s COVID situation through increased testing, and expanded contact tracing, among other things. #Earlier this week, Dr Darville told reporters the government is ready to activate its ten-point COVID action plan, which includes offering free COVID testing to Bahamians. He said the government is in the process of negotiations with companies as it seeks to implement free COVID-19 testing.

His comments came as the country recorded 111 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 additional virus deaths on Wednesday. The day before saw 91 cases recorded, while 39 cases were reported on Monday and 34 on Sunday. The country now has a total of 20,490 cases, 1,639 of which are still active. There have also been 522 COVID deaths confirmed since the start of the pandemic.

In its September 22 dashboard, the Ministry of Health reported that 10 people had died from the virus between September 8 and September 19.

Three of the victims were from Grand Bahama while the remaining seven were New Providence residents. Their ages range from 44 to 82.

Speaking about the nation’s COVID-19 situation yesterday, Dr Darville admitted that officials have seen some positive signs that cases may be decreasing in the country, but said more data is needed to determine this fact.

Notwithstanding this, he said it’s still important for Bahamians to not let their guards down as the drop in numbers could be a result of decreased testing.

“We’re seeing signs that the cases may be falling, but we are mindful not to be too optimistic at this time because that may be a direct result of lack of testing so we have to get the facts together and put the puzzle together that revolves around the science and then we will be pleased to allow the media to know where we’re at and to allow the Bahamian people to understand the situation,” Dr Darville told reporters before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

On the campaign trail, the Progressive Liberal Party promised that once elected, it would stabilise the country’s COVID situation through increased testing, and expanded contact tracing, among other things.

Earlier this week, Dr Darville told reporters the government is ready to activate its ten-point COVID action plan, which includes offering free COVID testing to Bahamians. He said the government is in the process of negotiations with companies as it seeks to implement free COVID-19 testing.

 

THE Ministry of Health reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday.

The figures, contained in the September 19 dashboard, means the country now has had 20,249 confirmed cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic. #Twenty-eight of the new cases are in New Providence, four are in Grand Bahama, while there is one each in Exuma and Mayaguana. #Officials also said 164 patients are in hospital with the virus. #Five hundred and ten people have died from the disease.

The figures, contained in the September 19 dashboard, means the country now has had 20,249 confirmed cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic.

Twenty-eight of the new cases are in New Providence, four are in Grand Bahama, while there is one each in Exuma and Mayaguana.

Officials also said 164 patients are in hospital with the virus.

Five hundred and ten people have died from the disease.

 

The COVID-19 death toll in The Bahamas surpassed 500 yesterday, after 22 additional COVID-19 deaths were confirmed, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health.

Those deaths were recorded between August 24 and September 14.

Thirteen of those individuals were women between the ages of 32 and 99.

The remaining nine individuals were men between the ages of 40 and 77.

The COVID-19 death count now stands at 504. 

Twenty-nine deaths are under investigation and 108 non-COVID-19 deaths were reported since March 2020.

An additional 116 COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday.

One hundred and seven additional recoveries were also reported.

There are 1,662 active cases.

The Bahamas reported just over 20,000 in the last 17 months.

As of Thursday, 176 cases were hospitalized.