Monthly Archives: July 2021

Alpha variant detected in most of Bahamas samplesSo far, there is no evidence of delta variant circulation in The Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The alpha variant of the coronavirus, which is estimated to be between 40 percent and 80 percent more transmissible than the original, has been confirmed to be present in The Bahamas, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

During its weekly briefing, PAHO Regional Advisor for Viral and Emerging Diseases Dr Jairo Andres Mendez-Rico was asked whether the organization had confirmed additional variants in The Bahamas since the onset of the pandemic.

Local health professionals have long speculated the presence of additional variants, but had not publicly confirmed based on samples sent to labs.

In close collaboration, with the Genomic Surveillance Regional Network, several samples from The Bahamas have been sent to the Sequencing Reference Lab in Tu Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where actually complete genomes have been obtained, Mendez-Rico said.

According to the most recent information to be officially verified by the country, but already available, in global databases, the alpha variant of concern had been detected in most of the samples, together with other variants in less proportion, including the iota, which has been classified by WHO (World Health Organization) as a variant of interest.

So far, there is no evidence of delta variant circulation in The Bahamas; nevertheless, the genomic surveillance should be maintained to timely detect the possible introduction and spread of delta or any other variant.

According to Johns Hopkins data, the alpha variant was first detected in southern England last year, with patients of alpha facing a greater risk of hospitalization and death.

An Oxford study showed that after adapting to covariables, patients receiving primary care and infected with the alpha strain were more likely to die in 28 days than those infected by other strains of the virus.

The alpha, beta, delta and gamma have been classified as variants of concern, which denotes evidence of an increase in transmissibility; more severe disease, including increased hospitalization or death; and reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines.

Variants on interest those with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding and reduced ability to be neutralized by vaccines include epsilon, nextstrain, iota and kappa

According to PAHO Director Dr Carissa Etienne, 47 countries in the region have detected at least one variant of concern.

Meanwhile, 11 have detected all four variants alpha, beta, gamma and delta.

The Bahamas has recorded 13,781 cases of the virus since last March and 274 deaths.

The nation has administered around 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines, with 39, 366 fully vaccinated around nine percent of the population.

The COVAX program, of which The Bahamas is a part, will see 3.7 million more vaccine doses sent to countries in the Americas region through the end of July, said PAHO Assistant Director Jarbas Barbosa.

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THEY'RE HERE: Alpha and iota coronavirus variants confirmed in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

Train enthusiasts will get a second chance to see the 45596 Bahamas this weekend.

Crowds gathered at Newbury Station last Sunday to see the steam train 'Bahamas pass through the district.

The train arrived at Newburys platform 1 just before 10.30am on its way from London Paddington to Salisbury.

It passed back through Bedwyn and Newbury on the return leg later that day.

But if you missed it last weekend, you will get another chance to catch a glimpse of the steam engine as it passes through Newbury once again tomorrow, Saturday July 24.

The Bahamas will pass through Newbury at approximately 10.14am to pick up passengers on its way from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard, where another steam engine will take over to carry on to Minehead.

You could also catch a glimpse of it at Theale, Newbury Racecourse (we can't confirm, but it looks like it might be stopping there for a bit), Hungerford and Bedwyn.

It will pass through again on the return journey at approximately 8.44pm.

The locomotive 45596 Bahamas was built in 1934 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for the London Midland & Scottish Railway.

It was designed by Sir William Stanier and entered service in 1935.

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45596 Bahamas steaming through Newbury - Newbury Today

Bahamas locomotive Photo Antony Christie

By John Horton and David Burrin

The Bahamas steam locomotive is coming through Thanet, not once but twice today (July 22).

Railway enthusiasts across the Isle will be able to witness a unique steam train as it passes through Minster, Ramsgate, Dumpton Park, Broadstairs, Margate, Westgate, and Birchington en route to Faversham from London Victoria this may change to being diesel hauled due to extreme heat being a fire risk.

The Kentish Belle will be hauled by steam Loco Bahamas, number 45596, a 4-6-0 Jubilee locomotive, one of 191 which were built between 1934 and 1936,concurrently alongside Black 5s 4-6-0s for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) both of which were designed by William Stanier.

BAHAMAS was formerly based at Stockport, Manchester working passenger services from Manchester Central to London St Pancras along the former Cheshire Lines route, and following withdrawal from service at the end of steam operation, 4 of the class were preserved:-

45593 KOLAPHUR Withdrawn October 1967

45596 BAHAMAS Withdrawn July 1966

45960 LEANDER Withdrawn March 1964

45699 *GALATEA Withdrawn April 1936

*GALATEA contains many parts from loco 45562 ALBERTA all used on GALATEA

BAHAMAS was stored for many years at Stockport Depot before she was moved to Leeds for Repair and onto the Dinting Railway Museuem. She returned to mainline service in 1972 and did many trips on the mainline, another overhaul began in 2013 and BAHAMAS returned to service in 2019. It is the only preserved Jubilee to sport a double chimney.

The train will depart London Victoria and head down to Ashford, Canterbury West before passing through Thanet on its way to Faversham, the train returns later in the afternoon heading back to London. The Jubilee class never appeared in the South East in regular service and its appearance is unique to the class as it is therefore the first ever visit of such a loco to the South East.

The timings of the train as it passes are as follows:

MINSTER 11:37

RAMSGATE arr 12:04 dep 12:07

BROADSTAIRS arr 12:12 dep 12:14

MARGATE (Plat 3) arr 12:18 dep 12:21

The return times are :

MARGATE (Plat 1) arr 16:52 dep 16:58

BROADSTAIRS arr 17:05 dep 17:07

RAMSGATE (Plat 2) arr 17:12 dep 17:14

MINSTER 17:22

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The Bahamas steam locomotive scheduled to pass through Thanet today - The Isle of Thanet News

A virulent and fast-moving coral disease that has swept through the Caribbean could be linked to waste or ballast water from ships, according to research.

The deadly infection, known as stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), was first identified in Florida in 2014, and has since moved through the region, causing great concern among scientists.

It spreads faster than most coral diseases and has an unusually high mortality rate among the species most susceptible to it, making it potentially the most deadly disease ever to affect corals. More than 30 species of coral are susceptible. It was found in Jamaica in 2018, then in the Mexican Caribbean, Sint Maarten and the Bahamas, and has since been detected in 18 other countries.

In Mexico, more than 40% of reefs in one study had at least 10% of coral infected by SCTLD, and nearly a quarter had more than 30%. In Florida, regional declines in coral density approached 30% and live tissue loss was upward of 60%.

Scientists have not yet been able to determine whether the disease is caused by a virus, a bacterium, a chemical or some other infectious agent, but the peer-reviewed study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science supports the theory that ballast water from ships may be involved. Conducted in the Bahamas by scientists at the Perry Institute for Marine Science, it found that SCTLD was more prevalent in reefs that were closer to the Bahamas main commercial ports, in Nassau and Grand Bahama, suggesting a likely link between the disease and ships.

Judith Lang, scientific director at the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment project, which has been tracking the disease, said: The prevailing currents in the Caribbean push seawater to Florida and not in the reverse direction, and the predominant wind direction is westward. So human dispersal [to those three territories] in 2018 seems necessary.

In 2017, the spread of deadly pathogens by ships when they discharge ballast water prompted the International Maritime Organization to implement the Ballast Water Management Convention, which requires that ships discharge their ballast water used to maintain the ships stability 200 nautical miles from shore in water at least 200 metres deep before entering port, to ensure they do not bring in harmful foreign pathogens.

In the Bahamas, SCTLD has spread rapidly since first being identified in December 2019.

Krista Sherman, senior scientist at the Perry Institute and a co-author of the recently published paper, said: The disease is spread along about 75km of reef tract, about 46 miles so for Grand Bahama that is a large structure of reef. Were talking about mostly covering the entire southern coastline of the island.

The disease is also widespread in the coral reefs of New Providence, where the Bahamas capital, Nassau, and main port are located. The study notes the presence of international container ships, cruise ships and pleasure boats at that location, as well as a fuel shipping station.

Infection rates among the most susceptible species were 23% and 45% across New Providence and Grand Bahama respectively, and recent mortality rates have reached almost 43%.

With the exception of two species, the researchers found there was a significant relationship between the disease and proximity of reefs to the major shipping ports. They noted an increasing proportion of healthy colonies as distance from the port increased on both islands, and a greater proportion of recently dead colonies closer to the port than farther away.

The locations where SCTLD is prevalent in the Bahamas are all popular with tourists, recreational fishers and divers, Sherman said.

There are concerns that the coral disease could affect the countrys main fishery export, spiny lobster, said Adrian LaRoda, president of the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance. Although the lobster fishers work further out to sea, the industry would be affected if the reefs die. The spiny lobster fishery brings in $90m (66m) a year and employs 9,000 people.

Any negative impact on our reefs would definitely drastically affect our spiny lobsters because the mature animals migrate [from the reefs] to the fish aggregating devices [a technique for catching fish], LaRoda said. He added that the lobsters reproduction rate and the food supply for juvenile lobsters in the reef would also be affected.

The Bahamian government has set up a national taskforce to tackle the problem. Currently, the most effective treatment for the disease is the application of the antibiotic amoxicillin directly to the corals, which has seen some success in reducing mortality, but no realistic permanent solution is available.

According to Lang, rather than treating the symptoms, there is a need to tackle the possible human-made causes. Given a chance, nature can heal naturally, she said.

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Deadly coral disease sweeping Caribbean linked to wastewater from ships - The Guardian

DAVIS, WEST VIRGINIA The National Youth Science (NYS) Foundation has extended congratulations to the 2021 National Youth Science Camp delegates from The Bahamas who were selected to represent the country at the 2021 National Youth Science Camp, held virtually from June 28 to July 21, 2021.

Rowelinda Alcius is a student at CR Senior High School who is pursuing a career as a medical technologist.

Cobe Minnis is a student at CV Bethel who is planning to attend a Florida university, pursuing a career as a marine biologist.

The delegates joined around 140 other top science students from across the nation and around the world for this acclaimed honors science leadership program.

Over the last month, the delegates have been immersed in science lectures and directed studies led by some of the top scientists and professors from around the world.

NYSCamp Director Dr Brian Kinghorn noted: NYSCamp delegates are some of the best and brightest STEM students from across the world and deserved to be recognized for their protentional for leadership and achievements.

The virtual camp will provide them with opportunities to interact with STEM experts, build lasting friendships and get a jump-start on changing the world for good.

Delegates had opportunities to interact and connect with each other and to join in interactive sessions with presenters. Even though delegates were unable to gather in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, the 2021 National Youth Science Camp proved to be an engaging, exciting and unforgettable experience for them.

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Two delegates selected to represent The Bahamas at 2021 National Youth Science Camp - EyeWitness News

Arriving in Margate Photo Frank Leppard

Railway enthusiast have been out with their cameras as The Kentish Belle hauled by steam loco Bahamas travels through Minster, Ramsgate, Dumpton Park, Broadstairs, Margate, Westgate, and Birchington en route to Faversham from London Victoria.

Loco Bahamas, number 45596, a 4-6-0 Jubilee locomotive, is one of 191 which were built between 1934 and 1936, concurrently alongside Black 5s 4-6-0s for the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) both of which were designed by William Stanier.

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BAHAMAS was stored for many years at Stockport Depot before she was moved to Leeds for Repair and onto the Dinting Railway Museuem.

She returned to mainline service in 1972 and did many trips on the mainline, another overhaul began in 2013 and BAHAMAS returned to service in 2019. It is the only preserved Jubilee to sport a double chimney.

The return times today are :

MARGATE (Plat 1) arr 16:52 dep 16:58

BROADSTAIRS arr 17:05 dep 17:07

RAMSGATE (Plat 2) arr 17:12 dep 17:14

MINSTER 17:22

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Photos and video: Kentish Belle hauled by steam loco Bahamas passes through Thanet - The Isle of Thanet News

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 23) Two more alumni from Saint Augustines University (SAU) are at the Summer Olympic Games.

Rupert Gardiner is in Tokyo as an assistant coach of the Bahamas National Track & Field Team. A 1982 SAU graduate, Gardiner ran cross country for the Falcons before establishing himself as a well-respected track & field coach and administrator in his country.

The Bahamas relay squads have earned international acclaim under Gardiner, the countrys national relays coordinator. In the 2000 Olympics, Gardiner guided the Bahamas womens 4100 relay team to a gold medal.

SAU alumna Cora Hepburn is part of the Bahamas National Team as an administrator. She is the first female to be named Chef de Mission by the Bahamas Olympic Committee. The definition of Chef de Mission is a person in charge of a national team at an international sports event.

Hepburn was a volleyball standout at Saint Augustines in the early 1980s. A 1983 SAU graduate, Hepburn won CIAA Player of the Year, All-District and All-State honors and led her alma mater to multiple conference titles and national acclaim.

Gardiner and Hepburn are two of five SAU alums taking part in the Olympics. Tia-Adana Belle and Shawn Rowe will compete in the 400-meter hurdles for Barbados and Jamaica, respectively, and Gabriel Burnett is head coach of the Barbados National Track & Field Team.

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Five St. Aug alumni taking part in Tokyo Olympic Games - HBCU Gameday

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) is collaborating with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) to provide access to technical and financial assistance for small tourism enterprises (STEs) through a participation programme.

The organizations are seeking to identify and assess the challenges, barriers and needs faced by STEs to direct technical assistance and support post-disaster recovery.

To accomplish this, OAS and CHTA are inviting STEs across The Bahamas to participate in a survey and assist the bodies in targeting their specific needs.

OAS Representative for The Bahamas Phyllis Baron spoke about the benefits of the initiative, which is being carried out in OAS 13 member states.

The OAS will seek to dialogue with the policymakers of our region to create and enhance their policies that will be beneficial to the sector especially as it relates to recovery and business continuity. Hence, it is pertinent that all stakeholders participate in the survey as it is from this data we can analyze the information and provide strategic guidance that will benefit them as a sector, she said.

We should note that in recent times, there are more and more catastrophic events and so we must be prepared. We therefore encourage all small hotels and tourism businesses across The Bahamas to complete the OAS/CHTA 2021 Business Continuity survey to allow us to assist them appropriately.

Special advisor and former CEO of CHTA Frank Comito had similar sentiments.

Small tourism businesses are particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the same happens with other crisis situations. We believe that the groundwork of the OAS over 20 years ago on Hurricane Readiness and Small Hotel Operations has helped to prepare the tourism industry to manage their way through crisis situations, he said.

However, we need to look at the new situation faced by small hotel and tourism enterprises and direct resources appropriately.

We therefore encourage all small hotel and tourism businesses across The Bahamas to participate in this Business Continuity Survey, which will help the donor funding of the Organization of American States and the resources of CHTA to be directed to better serve their needs.

TDC Executive Director Janet Johnson said this initiative is a timely one.

With the hurricane season upon us, we are thrilled to be participating in this innovative initiative with our international non-governmental organization partners and so many of our STEs are grateful for the help and guidance that this collaboration affords, she said.

Eligible participants include hotel operators with under 100 room accommodations; independent food and beverage operators in tourism areas; transportation and ground tour operators; recreation including adventure, entertainment and attractions; tourism services including destination management and inbound tour operators; travel agents; retail sales and souvenir stores; and other supply chains.

The surveys can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/oas_chta.

Registration for and participation in the programme are free.

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TDC works with OAS and CHTA to build small tourism enterprise resilience - EyeWitness News

LEX18 A school-record total of 20 current and former University of Kentucky athletes and coaches will represent 10 countries across a range of five sports in the Summer Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from July 21 through August 8 on NBC and LEX18 News.

Nine Wildcats will compete for the United States, two for The Bahamas and Puerto Rico, and one each for Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

BBN Tonight has talked with several of the Wildcats participating in the summer Olympics. Those interviews can be seen by clicking HERE.

Here's when and where you can watch the Wildcats compete this summer:

SCHEDULE BY DAYFriday, July 23

Saturday, July 24

Sunday, July 25

Monday, July 26

Tuesday, July 27

Wednesday, July 28

Thursday, July 29

Friday, July 30

Saturday, July 31

Sunday, August 1

Monday, August 2

Tuesday, August 3

Wednesday, August 4

Thursday, August 5

Friday, August 6

Saturday, August 7

Sunday, August 8

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When and where you can watch the Wildcats in Tokyo - LEX18 Lexington KY News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamian citizens and residents eligible to receive their second vaccine dose but who have yet to book their appointment to become fully vaccinated will be unable to do so until next week.

According to National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields, there are currently no new vaccination appointments available for the remainder of the week, but he expects new appointments will available for next week for New Providence and Grand Bahama.

He said he expects that those appointments can be scheduled beginning today or Wednesday via vax.gov.bs.

The move has been prompted by available vaccine supplies, though The Bahamas is expected to receive its remaining balance of 33,600 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from the World Health Organizations (WHO) COVAX Facility before the end of the month.

The slots for this week are booked, Fields said in response to questions from Eyewitness News.

Hopefully, in a couple of days, some slots will be available for next week.

He maintained that the only places slots will become open will remain Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road on New Providence and the Susan J Wallace Centre on Grand Bahama.

He continued: We are working hard on securing supply.

As soon as we know definitively, we will advise the public.

The Bahamas is also expected to receive more than 57,000doses of Pfizerthrough the COVAX Facility.

It had exclusively received AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX since the vaccine rollout began earlier this year.

The US is alsoslated to donatea tranche of AstraZeneca doses from its surplus, though quantity and dates have yet to be announced.

Last Thursday, the committee advised that vaccines will be limited to second doses by appointment only for those who are eligible, but there were reports yesterday that some of those individuals were unable to schedule their appointments.

As of Saturday, 99,755 vaccines doses had been administered in The Bahamas, with 60,389 people receiving a first dose of the vaccine and 39,366 fully vaccinated.

National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Chairperson Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis told Eyewitness News yesterday the committee supports mixing COVID-19 vaccines, but it will only do so if the need arises.

Eyewitness Newsreported last week that The Bahamas could join other countries inmixing dosesof the UKs AstraZeneca and US Pfizer vaccines, which has been shown to provide an even greater immune response to the virus.

Excerpt from:

IT'S A NO GO: New vaccination appointments halted for remainder of the week - EyeWitness News