UPDATE: COVID Management February 21, 2021

Key points from the February 21, 2021 COVID management televised statement featuring Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic.

Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic spoke at 6 p.m. today.

• 12 hours before end of lockdown period.

•  The period was useful. Barbadians were able to take a break.

•  Health care workers were able to carry out their duties.

•  In 48 hours seniors and vulnerable received vaccines in calm surroundings.

•  The national stop worked.

• People do not need to run to the supermarket and village stores every day for 2 items.

• It is no longer cool to lime.

• Concern that messages are being lost to those who stay at home with symptoms.

• The symptoms are similar to the cold: Fever, runny nose, cough and so on.

• Stop the topping up.

• There is and will be no food shortage in Barbados.

• We will end the mandatory stay-at-home order at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

• We still have a long way to go before we are on top of the COVID crisis.

• Working to reduce wait time for transportation of COVID-positive patients to designated isolation centres.

• More buses will be pressed into action to reduce wait time.

• People living in crowded homes will be accommodated in quarantine hotels while waiting for results.

• While waiting for results, don’t mix with others.

• Don’t rush vaccination centres.

• To date the focus has been on frontline workers, essential workers, the vulnerable and elderly.

• 40-000 plus vaccines to be administered from this shipment.

• Allow the most exposed and elderly to be vaccinated.

• On Monday, people with appointments, people who are vulnerable and the elderly will be given priority at vaccination centres.

• Stay-at-home order ends at 6 a.m. Monday.

• Curfew continues until the end of February.

• COVID numbers are still high.

• We all have to try to bring the positivity rate down. (KG)