THE recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the country has sparked a reimplementation of harsher restrictions in New Providence and Grand Bahama along with North and Central Eleuthera, Health Minister Reward Wells announced Friday.

The restrictions include tighter curfew hours, social limitations and travel guidelines.

The tightened restrictions came as the country recorded 110 additional cases and one more virus-related death on Thursday.

Additionally, on Wednesday, officials said there were five deaths, which took place on July 18, 19, and 20. Three of the deaths were New Providence residents, one was from Bimini and the other was from Exuma.

These latest fatalities mean 280 people have now died from the virus.

Meanwhile, the country has 13,957 cases overall – 1,351 of which are still active.

Ninety-two people are in hospital sick with the virus as of July 22.

During a Ministry of Health press conference Friday, Mr Wells lamented the uptick in both virus-related cases, hospitalisations and deaths as "concerning", saying the influx of infections has placed a great strain on the nation’s healthcare system.

Noting that COVID-19 preventative measures are meant to protect and not harm us, Mr Wells announced the reimposition of a number of former restrictions, which he said came based on the recommendations of health officials.

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