SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Minister of Health Renward Wells has paid tribute to Sandilands nurse Bernadette Rolle, who died of COVID-19.
In a statement, Mr Wells said: “ I am very sad to confirm the death of Ms. Bernadette Rolle, Registered Nurse, who was an employee of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC). As we mourn the loss of a brave warrior from the frontline in our fight against the pandemic COVID-19, the nation is grateful for her service.
“Nurse Rolle was dedicated to her family, to her patients, and to the institutions of nursing and SRC. I, therefore, on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas and my Ministry, and on my own behalf, extend sincere condolences particularly to her two children, her patients that she dearly loved, and to her nursing colleagues at SRC who are her extended family.
“May Nurse Rolle’s soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”
The Public Hospitals Authority released the following statement:
“The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) confirms the passing of Staff Nurse Bernadette Rolle on Friday 21st August 2020. Nurse Rolle who was deployed to the Male Ward of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, was being treated at the South Beach COVID-19 Centre at the time of her demise.
“During her tenure of more than fourteen (14) years with the PHA, Nurse Rolle worked across various wards at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. SRC Hospital Administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker described the loss as one that is a blow to the Sandilands Family. She convened an emergency meeting this morning to advise staff at SRC of Nurse Rolle’s passing and to address any concerns they may have in her capacity as HA. Walker also a nurse by profession, said the sacrifices being made by our frontline workers to provide care cannot be overstated. She added, ‘It is my hope that more and more members of the public will see the need for the public to partner with those of us in healthcare to reduce the spread of COVID-19.’
“The PHA Board of Directors, Managing Director, Senior Executives and staff of the PHA joins the Sandilands Family in extending condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Staff Nurse Bernadette Rolle.
“The PHA thanks the public for their continued support and prayers during this time.”
FROM EARLIER: A NURSE at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre has died from COVID-19.
In a Facebook post, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands paid tribute to the nurse, Bernadette Rolle, while stressing that “no single death is any more tragic than the other.”
Dr Sands wrote: “The death of Bernadette Rolle, RN, however, reminds us of the price that healthcare workers pay in the battle against COVID-19 in the Bahamas.
“Like our colleague, Judson Eneas - she has succumbed in this war. I was privileged to know her. She lived in the area I represent.
“I offer sincere condolences to her children and family.
“As we fight this virus, please practice universal precautions. Assume that EVERYONE you meet could be infected. “Even though they may show no symptoms, asymptomatic carries are infectious.
“We do not know the extent or number of Covid-19 infections in the Bahamas. Confirmed Covid-19 cases are only a percentage of the total.
“May she rest in peace.”
On Friday night, the Ministry of Health reported five additional deaths however only four are COVID-19 related.
The country’s death toll is now 27. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is set to address the nation on Monday.
Comments
bogart 3 years, 8 months ago
Really sad Nurse Bernadette Rolle, Front line warrior employeed at Government controlled and run Sandilands Rehabilation Centre, SRC passed away. Nurse Bernadette, I salute you!
Full investigations on heroine Nurse Bernatette Front line worker passing away must be done by certified independent Committee or such like organizations and if contacted by way of negligence or manner of Government, or Employees workplace then all persons in charge must be held responsible to fullest extent of the law.
I salute all Frontline warriors and in the unfortunate event of contracting the disease in line of work, fullest independent investigation be swiftly conducted. The nation owes this to all Frontline warriors.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 8 months ago
This is indeed sad. But she is also overweight and at least 45(?), should she have been better protected with a known comorbidity? Maybe tested once every 3 days so that if she were infected it could be treated early? Let's not weep tears if we not ready to address the problem. She and 16 others are dead because the border was opened prematurely
I hope her death isn't used to beat the Bahsmian people with a bigger more blunt stick. We really need an administration that can think it's way out of this crisis. It seems like the essential workers are the source of the spread. How do you address that? Do they need stricter protocols? What are they doing? We already know defence force officers were having pool parties, the DPM was allegedly at a large gathering for a RBDF promotion party and there are many rumours of police after hours parties, cause the rules dont apply to them. Please think and stop punishing people unnecessarily. Diagnose the problem and fix that.
joeblow 3 years, 8 months ago
... obese or not this woman risked her life everyday she went to work during this pandemic! From an extremely reliable source at Sandilands I was told that nurses at Sandilands were concerned about their exposure to known covid-19 cases there and were asking to be tested but were turned away from the South Beach clinic and told to go back to work or pay the $250 Doctors Hospital charges to do the test. Consistently we have heard reports of government not taking proper care of front line workers with PPE's or testing. Sad state of affairs, but to read the platitudes to the deceased from those in the ministry of Health is even more tragic!!
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 8 months ago
I didnt point out her weight to make fun of her. Rather to show how our approach needs to change. Someone needs to start thinking. Weight is different than hypertension. It is an obvious comorbidity and she is in a high risk profession. I am saying knowing that, don't come to me after she's dies with what a wonderful person she was, what did you do to protect her while she was alive and on the front lines? Did you give her access to frequent testing to ensure you caught the infection early giving her higher chances of survival? The fake tears and the billboards are too late. That is my point.
tetelestai 3 years, 8 months ago
Thisisours, your post is as insensitive a post as I have ever read on this comment board. And that is really saying something. And absolutely pathetic, little man you are - if, in fact you are a man.
Economist 3 years, 8 months ago
“We do not know the extent or number of Covid-19 infections in the Bahamas. Confirmed Covid-19 cases are only a percentage of the total."
Finally, a government department that tells the truth.
And why don't they know?
Because the government is not testing. It is the private sector that has more than doubled the number of tests done in The Bahamas.
People are dying because of the negligence of people like Dahl Regis who didn't want to buy tests from Cayman because the price was too high.
And we have the money. the Minister of Toursim and Aviation was just talking how the government is now spending $7.5 million a month on Bahamasair.
lobsta 3 years, 8 months ago
Bahamasair needs to closed down ASAP. Much, much wealthier countries have long ago given up on a state run carrier. Make sure the inter-island connections are guaranteed by a number of private Bahamian carriers. Everything else leave to the big boys.
tetelestai 3 years, 8 months ago
Ah, sigh. Again, that is the point, isnt it. The private carriers will not run flights to remote islands and cays. Sonyour "guarantee" will be tantamount to subsidy, which you are trying to avoid now, isnt it? And to keep the guarantee, guess what? Gov will have to subsidize them more amd more. Then, guess what, comment board posters will then whine and complain that the gov is subsidizing them too much. Then problem 2. OK smart boy what do you do with all the employees that will be released from Bahamasair? Guess what the gov will have to do? Yup, subsidize them. Social services/unemployment benefits, etc. Some critical thinking you need.
tetelestai 3 years, 8 months ago
Re your point on Dahl-Regis, you are making a strong indictment - tantamount to treason in my view. Please empirically source that comment, or retract and stop spreading abjject nonsense.
watcher 3 years, 8 months ago
@ economist. Quote......And we have the money. the Minister of Toursim and Aviation was just talking how the government is now spending $7.5 million a month on Bahamasair
The sad truth is that Bahamasair has voters, people dead from Corona don't vote. Government sees testing as a waste if resources until people start to show symptoms of having the virus.
Economist 3 years, 8 months ago
Yes, 600 jobs is worth much more than the lives of 390,000 Bahamians, amazing is it not.
Sick minds, very sick minds.
rodentos 3 years, 8 months ago
even with NO measures at all only about 1000 people would die in the Bahamas with/from covid until the "pandemic" ends. While the number actually seems worrying this doesn't mean these people were actually killed by covid, just died with it. It is still far away from the numbers of "regular natural" deaths in the same time period.
In Sweden it is actually over, nobody dies from covid anymore. And they had no meassures at all!
tetelestai 3 years, 8 months ago
Please source this rubbish, so that we may all view. No need to respond other than with the appropriate links, please. Thanks.
tribanon 3 years, 8 months ago
Sadly, unlike our corrupt, incompetent and elitist politicians, most Bahamians like Nurse Rolle are not covered by an excellent group health insurance plan paid for by the taxpayers of The Bahamas; one which provides easy access to the best available healthcare in the US. And we all know how quickly those most responsible for the deplorable state of our public healthcare system jump on a plane to the US when they become seriously ill.
bogart 3 years, 8 months ago
Good point. Now you re-open up the coverage of group health insurance plan for best health care for its workers there must be Labour laws chapter of Rights of employees and listed Fines, penalties, Closures, jail time Compensations to employees being harmed, etcetc....
As there is, widespread curruption and businesses operating in capitalist money profit oriented arena high politics arena, there must be rules and Rights of workers. Rules must control willfull maliciously putting employees into situations unprotected, underprotected, cheap inferior protection, old physical office eneeds reconfiguring to minimize danger etc, where patient/customer has to be in front ...rules must prevent wutless Bosses threats, manipulating, political victimizatoons, depriving, lessening money income or other etc,...to employees not following their orders to be doing certain dangerous or more dangerous jobs, (nothing new to oldtime wartime where generals order certain people to knowing frontline slaughter), trules on employers and dealings with leaves of covid absence and pay, etcetc.
In going foward in nation with no vaccine, limited health care facilities etc and govt and businesses operating there must be Rules and Penalities to ensure nations work employees safety from currupt, manulitive, cheap, ass kissers, gravy drinkers, currupt status quo enforcers, wicked, bosses.
Hoda 3 years, 8 months ago
Those point maybe true. But the masses and general public are just as tribalistic, divisive and often more so... believing they should receive special treatment because of who they support and just believe any lie they are told by the leader they choose to follow.
tetelestai 3 years, 8 months ago
i agree with your first point. Re your second thats just rubbish. So it is okay for Bahamians to travel abroad to seek better deals to buy superior clothes/shoes etc or cheap Japanese cars, but somehow when it comes to our health, we should not seek out a superior option. I reject that null hypothesis.
TalRussell 3 years, 8 months ago
With each virus death closer staring in our faces, all We comrades do come and go on our life's journeys’ path young as a 45-year-old and as old as 94-years.
Pray that the Central Authority did all it should've done protect all up at Sandilands. Nod Once for Yeah, Twice for No?
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