The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

COVID-19 cases in the country have skyrocketed to 679, with 31 additional cases recorded just yesterday as health officials expect cases to increase in the days ahead.

The latest COVID-19 dashboard was revealed just hours before Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis addressed the nation yesterday, reimposing a number of former restrictions to curb the spread of the virus including a national two-week lockdown.

According to the Ministry of Health, 22 of the new cases are on Grand Bahama, with nine in New Providence. Health officials did not provide background information on any of the new cases despite calls for more transparency from both the media and the public.

Last night, Dr Minnis said the recent surge of cases has already started to strain the country’s health care system, with critical ICU beds already at capacity and non-critical care beds “approaching capacity.”

“COVID-19 is not going away any time soon,” he said in a sombre national address. “We will defeat this second wave just as we defeated the first. But I warn you that due to how easily the virus spreads we are likely to have future waves. This is the dangerous nature of pandemics and of this virus which is very contagious. A more normal time will not come until there is a vaccine. We have to keep working in tandem to prevent outbreaks.”

Noting the negative long-term impacts COVID-19 can cause physically, Dr Minnis yesterday urged the Bahamian people to not let their guard down. He further advised the public against attending social gatherings and travelling to COVID-19 hotspots.

He also warned young people that they are not immune to the disease, saying a number of cases have been diagnosed in people under 40.

“COVID-19 kills,” he warned. “COVID-19 leaves some survivors so damaged that their lifespans may be shortened. Let us remain disciplined, keeping to the public health advice. Sacrifice now to stay healthy so that when this is all over you can once again go back to those times spending time with those you love.”

Over the weekend, the country recorded a total of 74 cases, with 49 new COVID-19 cases reported on Sunday and an additional 25 new cases on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Friday saw a whopping 66 new confirmed cases - with 39 cases in Grand Bahama and 27 in New Providence.

Last week, health officials also confirmed three additional deaths from the virus, bringing the country’s death toll to 14. The victims include a 76-year-old female, a 54-year-old female and a 77-year-old male—all from Grand Bahama.

Dr Minnis noted the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to increase in the country before the current surge is brought under control. In an effort to manage the spread of the virus and better enforce the quarantine rules, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has taken over control of the Hubbcat monitoring system.

According to Dr Minnis, 25 police reserves have already been trained for the system, with an additional 25 reserves set to be trained in the days ahead.

He added: “The COVID-19 Enforcement Unit Command Centre, which is now operational, is located in the Cable Beach Police Station. The government has acquired 21 vehicles that will be properly outfitted with communications systems and deployed with police officers and individuals as ambassadors to patrol public spaces, beaches and parks predominantly.

“The ambassadors will be identifiable, wearing blue trousers and light blue shirts with caps embroidered with the COVID-19 logo.”