Omicron could mean WORSE PHASE of PANDEMIC says Bahamas Prime Minister from Home Quarantine  

#TheBahamas, December 24, 2021 – The Bahamas is seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases; thus, the measures for all inbound travellers, visitors or residents have tightened. Bahamians were warned, that challenging days were ahead and government had already activated a control strategy.

“We have sent samples from positive cases here in The Bahamas to a specialized lab to confirm that Omicron is here in The Bahamas, and we will have an answer very soon. But we are assuming that it is already here and acting accordingly.

Let me tell you why we are making that assumption: We recorded 26 positive cases on Monday, 73 on Tuesday, and 140 on Wednesday this week.

As serious as recent developments are, there is some good news – new data shows that Omicron does appear to cause more mild disease than earlier strains of the virus. A smaller percentage of people may become seriously ill. However, because it transmits so easily, we are talking about a smaller percentage of a much larger number of cases. For that reason, Omicron is already overwhelming hospitals across the world, including in many states in America and many countries in Europe. Many places are reporting their highest daily totals of cases since this virus began.

Countries around the world are pursuing new strategies to contain the worst impact of the virus.”

Prime Minister Phillip Davis announced the changes on Thursday and advised too that his wife and other relatives have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

Davis is currently in quarantine, though he has tested negative several times for the virus. But his wife, Ann Marie Davis, and other relatives have tested positive following a family event last weekend.

“Unfortunately, I can offer you an example from my own personal experience. Last weekend, we had a family gathering which included several family members who travelled here from abroad. Even though everyone was vaccinated, and everyone tested negative before travel, several of those who were visiting from abroad tested positive on the fifth day after arrival in the country. Since then, my wife and other family members have tested positive. I remain negative.”

Davis and all relatives who tested positive are fully ‘vaxxed’ and are doing well, as they are asymptomatic.

“Because they were vaccinated, they are either asymptomatic or are experiencing only mild symptoms. I am so grateful that that is the case.

But I know that many of our Christmas gatherings will include both vaccinated and unvaccinated family members.  Here is what I am asking you to do: please plan those gatherings with your most vulnerable family members in mind. That means the elderly, or those who are diabetic, or those who are immuno-compromised because of cancer treatment or other conditions or treatments. Remember that our children under 12 have not yet been vaccinated. Plan your gatherings with the goal of protecting these family members. Outside is safer than inside, always – the virus particles can hang in the air inside for hours. We are blessed with beautiful warm weather, and the forecast for the week ahead is for sunny skies.”

As for the tightened restrictions, Bahamians and visitors entering The Bahamas must test negative within three days of departure. This was once five days.

Also, as of January 7, a negative PCR test will be required for all travellers entering the country. Davis announced the immediate adjustment of gatherings: Indoor gatherings should not exceed 20 people, and outdoor gatherings should not exceed 30 people.

“The number of cases here is likely to go up quickly and substantially. I am going to tell it to you straight: because Omicron is so contagious, we could be entering the worst phase of the pandemic.

We must do whatever we can to reduce the total number of infections; we want as few of those infections to cause serious illness as possible; and we want to reduce the impact, which unfortunately will be severe, on our clinics and hospitals.

I have been working with the Minister of Health, Dr. Michael Darville, to consult a variety of experts and professionals, and as a result, we are adopting a number of steps immediately. Please understand that the situation is fluid, and we will continue to adapt and make adjustments to our nation’s strategy as needed.

We have acquired hundreds of thousands of medical-grade masks and intend to distribute those in communities across the country in the coming days. COVID is an airborne disease – infectious particles of the virus can hang in the air for hours in indoor spaces, and therefore the right masks can and do make a big difference.”