The Barbados National Pandemic Preparedness Plan for the coronavirus (Covid-19) was revealed by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley yesterday, hours after she brought together stakeholders to the table for a specially organised national consultation.
Her announcement came on the heels of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) upgrading the country’s risk of having a Covid-19 case from high, to very high.
The Preparedness Plan, expected to be approved by Cabinet tomorrow, is being fast-tracked as Jamaica yesterday became the first English-speaking country in the Caribbean to confirm its maiden case of the deadly virus.
Speaking at Hilton Barbados after more than five hours of consultation that included reports from CARPHA, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. and the private sector, the Prime Minister also confirmed eight Covid-19 tests had been done in Barbados, and all turned out negative.
In total, 156 screening tests had also been conducted in the last five weeks, which turned out to be cases of either Influenza A or B. Government now plans to spend $8.8 million to ensure containment and isolation centres will be ready in quick time, Mottley added.
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