Grand Bahama gets first COVID-19 case; woman with mild symptoms now in isolation

#The Bahamas – March 24, 2020 — The Bahamas today confirmed its fifth case of dreaded COVID-19 and it was logged in hurricane-hurt, Grand Bahama Island.

“What makes this especially challenging, is that we are still recovering from Hurricane Dorian,” said Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister who made the announcement at the invitation of Health Minister, Dr. Duane Sands.

“Now is not the time to panic. Your Grand Bahama Health Services Coronavirus Task Force has been working along with the National Task Force to prepare for this eventuality. If anyone in Gran dBahama or any other islnad, didn’t take the warnings or emergency orders [lease not that this virus can affect any of us, anywhere in The Bahamas. Stay at home, practice social distancing,” said State Minister Thompson.

It was explained that the Grand Bahama Port Authority is supporting Health Services in securing additional isolation facilities.

Grand Bahama currently has no use of the Rand Memorial Hospital building, due to the severe damage of the structure in the September hurricane.

As vexing as the first case, the young woman who presented at Grand Bahama Health Services had no significant travel history and exhibited only mild symptoms, said officials.

The woman in Grand Bahama, whose age and other information were withheld despite media questions, did experience a shortness of breath. A test result for the coronavirus returned a positive for COVID-19, today.

Contact tracing is underway and so far, it has been ascertained that this young woman is not linked to the very first case of COVID-19 confirmed for The Bahamas.

The first patient, a 61-year-old Nassau woman is now released from isolation. Three other positive cases are on home quarantine.

The Bahamas has tested 200 people since its first case on March 15 and the contact tracing modality is evolving, says the Ministry. It is reportedly an effort to improve on proficiency and surveillance.

It was announced that soon to be unveiled, is a virtual platform for heightened community connection to The Bahamas Ministry of Health; there, questions, concerns and potential patients will be able receive more immediate access and possible screening.