The Ministry of Health and Wellness joins with the family and loved ones in mourning the passing of Barbados’ eleventh COVID-19 fatality, as reported earlier today.
The female, 48, passed away at the Harrison Point Isolation Facility where she was a patient for just under two weeks. The Barbadian was on a ventilator as a result of respiratory complications from a range of health issues and comorbidities. The middle-aged woman was one of two patients in primary isolation at Harrison Point who were in “serious condition”.
Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic, is reminding members of the public to wear masks which cover their noses and mouths, all the way down to their chins; to sanitise or wash their hands regularly with soap and water; and keep six feet away from persons who do not live in their household. The Minister is also urging families and members of the same household to exercise care when interacting with each other.
Meanwhile the Ministry’s newly announced initiative, which has the support of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP), will attempt to identify residents of every community in Barbados who may be COVID positive. The initiative is aimed at putting all COVID-positive persons showing symptoms of the disease, in government run facilities where they can be closely monitored and receive medical care. People who are positive but asymptomatic, will be placed in isolation hotels where they will be under medical observation. The government-funded initiative is intended to combine with “a national pause”, to stop the spread of the disease and save lives.
In addition to the community based programme, Minister Bostic pointed to the support of BAMP for Government’s new thrust to deploy widespread rapid antigen testing as a first step in helping to identify infected persons. This was one of several new measures announced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley a day ago and she said she was seeking to source COVID vaccines from India for a national mass vaccination programme.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is strongly urging all Barbadians to seek medical help early if they are having difficulty breathing or experiencing flu like symptoms. The Ministry emphasised this as being extremely important in the case of the elderly, especially those who may have diabetes or hypertension and are therefore at high risk.
Minister Bostic asserted, “There will be no retreat, no surrender in the effort to keep every citizen safe and Beat Back COVID. “We care about every Barbadian and will fight unrelentingly to save every last one.”  (PR/SAT)
Editor’s Note: Adds the age of the deceased.
