Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson is urging Grand Bahamians to continue to follow the protocols laid out by the Ministry of Health, as The Bahamas continues to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Minister Thompson’s remarks came in light of one additional person from Grand Bahama who tested positive for exposure to the novel coronavirus. On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, a 50-year-old resident of Grand Bahama was among five new cases of positive COVID-19 in the Bahamas.

The new case brought the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bahama to eight. Grand Bahama had gone over three weeks with no new cases. “To hear of this new case after going for so long without a new case in Grand Bahama is disappointing, but it sends a clear message to Grand Bahama that we cannot let our guards down with respect to this disease and the fight that we are in,” said Minister Thompson.

Minister Thompson noted that during the Prime Minister’s latest national address on COVID-19, he pointed out that Nassau and Grand Bahama were moving into Phase 1B of the reopening plan for the Bahamian economy.

This phase allows for businesses to accept and fulfill online and telephone orders with curbside and delivery pickups for customers: “We are urging those businesses to stay within the guidelines that have been set out by the Prime Minister and not to breach the protocols,” said Minister Thompson. “Only businesses that can operate through online and telephone orders, using curbside and delivery services are allowed to operate.” Asked if further testing in Grand Bahama will be conducted, Minister Thompson said that additional testing is being carried out by health professionals in Grand Bahama. He added that vigorous contact tracing is still being carried out on the island in respect to the new confirmed case. “We have been informed that the person is at home and is being treated at home. But all of us must stay vigilant with respect to this fight."

ENCOURAGING GRAND BAHAMIANS – Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson, during a press conference on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, said that the recent confirmed case of COVID-19 in Grand is an indication that Grand Bahamians must remain vigilant against the virus and continue to follow the protocols set out by the Ministry of Health. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

By Andrew Coakley