Abaco outbreak - 'we dropped our guard'

Fri, Jul 23rd 2021, 09:18 AM

LOCAL officials are urging residents in Hope Town, Abaco, to keep their guard up amid a reported COVID-19 outbreak on the island that has prompted the closure of several businesses in recent days.

The Tribune understands that at least one of the positive cases is someone who has been fully vaccinated against the virus, but is said to be experiencing mild symptoms.
#In a memo sent to residents yesterday, the community’s chief councillor, Jeremy Sweeting, announced that the Hope Town District Council’s office would be closed until August 3 due to a recent spike of infections on the island.
#“The District Council can confirm that 53 persons presented themselves on Elbow Cay on 21 of July to be tested by medical personnel for COVID-19,” Mr Sweeting said in a statement.
#“So far, it is understood that 15 persons from Elbow Cay have tested positive in the last 72 hours. The other persons’ results from yesterday are still pending.”
#However, data provided by the Ministry of Health shows that only one positive case was confirmed on Abaco on Tuesday and two on Monday – pushing the island’s total to 388 as of July 20.
#When contacted about the issue yesterday, Mr Sweeting explained some of the positive cases were diagnosed by way of rapid antigen tests.
#RT-PCR tests are currently used as the gold standard to determine COVID-19 infection in The Bahamas.
#“It’s very concerning.. .and there are others who are presenting themselves as well so the number will go up as far as people who are being tested,” he told The Tribune.
#“Then we also have one person who tested positive from Guana Cay which is another island within my district and this individual was in Hope Town a few days ago or maybe a week ago and now, they have tested positive.

The Tribune understands that at least one of the positive cases is someone who has been fully vaccinated against the virus, but is said to be experiencing mild symptoms.

In a memo sent to residents yesterday, the community’s chief councillor, Jeremy Sweeting, announced that the Hope Town District Council’s office would be closed until August 3 due to a recent spike of infections on the island.

“The District Council can confirm that 53 persons presented themselves on Elbow Cay on 21 of July to be tested by medical personnel for COVID-19,” Mr Sweeting said in a statement.

“So far, it is understood that 15 persons from Elbow Cay have tested positive in the last 72 hours. The other persons’ results from yesterday are still pending.”

However, data provided by the Ministry of Health shows that only one positive case was confirmed on Abaco on Tuesday and two on Monday – pushing the island’s total to 388 as of July 20.

When contacted about the issue yesterday, Mr Sweeting explained some of the positive cases were diagnosed by way of rapid antigen tests.

RT-PCR tests are currently used as the gold standard to determine COVID-19 infection in The Bahamas.

“It’s very concerning.. .and there are others who are presenting themselves as well so the number will go up as far as people who are being tested,” he told The Tribune.

“Then we also have one person who tested positive from Guana Cay which is another island within my district and this individual was in Hope Town a few days ago or maybe a week ago and now, they have tested positive.

Click here to read more at The Tribune

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