Day three with no new cases

As of Wednesday, April 29, 2020

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE increased testing for COVID-19, the country has not recorded new cases of the disease for three days in a row.

The number of confirmed cases in the country remained at 80 on Wednesday afternoon with 25 people now recovered and 792 people in quarantine. The latest cases were announced on Sunday after two New Providence women, both in isolation at home, tested positive. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said officials can’t make anything out of the lack of new cases unless the trend is sustained.

“I think if we see a downward trend sustained for a full week, that might give a bit more comfort that the trend is real,” he said.

Dr Brennen also said 75 percent of healthcare workers who were tested over the weekend after being sidelined because of their possible exposure to a patient with COVID-19 have had their results returned. Those tests were negative for the virus. However, he said before they return to work, the employees must be cleared by the Ministry of Health.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis recently released the government’s phased plan for reopening the country.

According to their plan, the country is currently in phase 1a: essential businesses, hardware, auto parts stores and nurseries are opened, some for just two days per week; NGOs are providing food to the needy with permission and people can exercise for 90 minutes in their neighbourhood from Monday to Friday.

During phase 1b, there could be a relaxation of restrictions on exercise and hardware, nurseries and auto parts stores can expand to five-day online delivery and curb-side services.

During phase two, there could be even further relaxation on exercises and worship services could be permitted with strict social distancing rules and use of masks. Business operations in Family Islands that have not recorded a COVID-19 case could resume during this phase and there could be the resumption of healthcare and manufacturing industry services that can develop protocols to maintain social distancing.

In phase three there would be restriction reopening for non-essential stores, limited education services, relaxation of limits on weddings, funerals and social gatherings, reopening of parks and beaches with social distancing. During the fourth phase, the government could allow restaurants, cultural facilities, gyms, movie theatres and entertainment faculties to operate with social distancing protocols and masks while resuming office operations and personal services such as hair care and nails with the use of personal protection equipment.

During the fifth phase, international travel can resume, hotels can fully operate along with public transportation and a general lift on movement.

John 3 years, 12 months ago

Simply means the virus has passed over the entire population, or at those who were accessible. Either a person got the virus with no symptoms, with mild symptoms or acute symptoms. Either they survived the virus or they are among the 11 victims. Of course persons who shielded from the virus can either still get it if they are exposed to it through however means and if acsecondvwave hits they will not be immune to it.

tell_it_like_it_is 3 years, 12 months ago

All it actually means is that testing is not being done properly. Lack of testing will always result in no cases. smh

But I guess living in this fairy tale land where there is no new cases in The Bahamas, which has one of the lousiest health care systems in the world must feel great.
I guess as they say... (the government's) ignorance is bliss!

Well_mudda_take_sic 3 years, 12 months ago

....ditto that....

TalRussell 3 years, 12 months ago

Positive news for health officials and PopoulacesOrdinry at-large the colony has not recorded new cases of the coronavirus for three days in a row. 'Trust, but verify!'

DDK 3 years, 12 months ago

If accurate, WONDERFUL news!!

Well_mudda_take_sic 3 years, 12 months ago

Delusional wishful thinking at best. The numbers are being carefully massaged as was the case with the number of deaths caused by Hurricane Dorian.

John 3 years, 12 months ago

The fact is most countries in the region haven’t recorded any cases in several days.

proudloudandfnm 3 years, 12 months ago

Government is not accepting test results form private practice.

If private practice sends a positive result government is not accepting it or re-testing to confirm....

We have no idea how many cases we have.....

RealTalk 3 years, 12 months ago

Bimini went weeks without a single case after the first one and then simultaneously announced 3 confirmed cases in 1 day. I hope for the best but will not be sold a dream that we have won the war...at least not yet. More time and more testing will tell the true story.

TigerB 3 years, 12 months ago

So are we wishing for more than reported cases then? Are we not satisfied with the 11? and 80 case? I am tired of being looked up home every weekend... maybe we should look at the news more positively, and not hope because this government is involved and not the other fellas, that the news is genuine.

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