Category Archives: Bahamas

Hospitalizations see sharp, 76% increase in last two weeksWe are very much in the third wave

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The number of coronavirus cases reported last week dropped by eight percent, in spite of an increase in COVID-19 testing last week by just shy of 500 tests compared to the previous week.

From July 6 to July 12, there were 291 confirmed cases of the virus.

Between June 28 and July 5, there were 317 newly confirmed infections.

But a look at testing for the virus over the two periods showed a 20 percent increase in testing, with 2,887 tests completed in the last week compared to the 2,394 tests completed in the week prior.

The Bahamas remains in a third wave of the pandemic, with variant strains of the virus posing concerns for health officials.

According to an examination of COVID-19 dashboards, cases were down on New Providence, where the vast majority of cases have been observed.

In the last week, New Providence recorded 227 cases, compared to the 273 the week before.

This represents a 16 percent drop.

However, cases increased 29 percent on Grand Bahama, with 22 cases recorded last week compared to the 17 cases in the week prior.

While the marginal decrease in cases, if continued, could be suggestive of movement toward flattening the curve, the 291 cases in the last week represent 41 cases per day on average far from the low, single-digit figures observed in January and February when The Bahamas had exited its second wave.

The cases in the last two weeks a combined 608 infections still soar well above the number of cases recorded in January and February, which had 336 cases and 335 cases respectively.

Cases nearly doubled in March, with 612 cases.

There were more than 1,200 cases recorded in April.

In an interview with Eyewitness News yesterday, Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes said The Bahamas remains in the third wave and it is not going to an end.

The curve is not significantly flat on that, she said.

As a matter of fact, in the last week, the epidemiological week or the trend that we report on, there was actually a slight uptick in the number of cases.

There has definitely been an increase in the number of hospitalizations.

And deaths are also continuing.

And the percent of positives out of the tests that are done is also increased in that last week.

So, it is very concerning and we are very much in the third wave.

Hospitalizations have increased 42 percent between June 28 and July 5 from 38 to 54, and increased a further 24 percent last week, July 6-12, from 54 to 67.

Of the 67 cases hospitalized as of Monday, there were five in the intensive care units at Princess Margaret Hospital, Doctors Hospital and South Beach Acute Care.

Meanwhile, the positivity rate between June 28 and July 5 stood at 13 percent on average.

In the last week, that figure dropped to 10 percent on average.

The World Health Organization recommends a five percent positivity rate for the reopening of countries.

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DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Virus cases drop 8% even with increased testing but positivity rate still high - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Health Renward Wells said yesterday that as it stands, the government does intend to move forward with ending the COVID-19 emergency orders when the current state of emergency ends on August 13.

Speaking to reporters on the matter outside Cabinet, Wells said: The state of emergency ends on August 13. If there is going to be any change to that, the competent authority, the Cabinet of The Bahamas, will have to come back to the Bahamian people to say so.

Right now, there is no discussion to changing the fact that the emergency order ends on August 13 We are moving forward as we would have intimated in the past.

A public state of emergency has been in effectsince March 2020, along with teetering lockdowns and daily curfews.

There have been four separate proclamations since the first one last year.

Each new proclamation grants the governmentsix months in which they can continue extending the order under the Constitution, effectively resetting the clock.

However, Parliament was adjourned to September 22 following the passage of the 2021/2022 fiscal budget.

The governor general could still issue a new state of emergency if COVID-19 infections get out of control and it is deemed necessary, according to the attorney general.

The Bahamas has confirmed 13,233 cases as of Monday, with 926 active cases.

A five-month-old baby girl who died on June 26 and a 78-year-old woman who died on July 3 were the latest to be confirmed among the countrys COVID-related deaths last week.

The Bahamas COVID-19 fatalities currently stand at 254 with 29 deaths under investigation.

Wells acknowledged the rising death count, noting that most people in the country have been impacted by it in some way.

The disease is real. It has taken an awful lot of life globally The disease is real; it is serious.

He underscored once again that vaccinations and following COVID-19 protocols are key for the way forward, and noted that the government has been offered some 57,330 doses of the Pfizer vaccine through the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization COVAX facility.

He said that the government will receive an update on when those vaccines will arrive in country at the end of the week.

Wells noted that an additional 33,000 doses of AstraZeneca are also expected from COVAX will arrive on July 26.

This comes as vaccination appointments have been significantly decreased over the past two weeks amidst a global shortage in vaccines and delays in regional deliveries.

The government recently borrowed 5,000 doses of AstraZeneca from Antigua and Barbuda and is seeking an additional 20,000 doses from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Wells said the government is in discussions with all of its Caribbean colleagues to source vaccines as best as it can, noting that fighting the pandemic is a regional and global effort.

He said the government is actively trying to source additional vaccines, adding that when the capacity arrives in-country, individuals will have the option to choose which vaccine they want.

The health minister also said the government will take into consideration putting aside Pfizer vaccine doses for children, given that it is the only vaccine with emergency use approval for people under 18.

The Ministry of Health has advised that nearly 98,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date, with just over 37,600 people fully vaccinated.

The rest is here:

BLINK OF AN EYE: End of emergency orders right around the corner; just over 4 weeks left - EyeWitness News

Did Captain Kirk meet a tiger shark? For 2021 Shark Week on Discovery, Josh Gates and Star Trek actor William Shatner take a dive into open waters of the Bahamas to learn more about this intimidating apex predator

Over the phone from his East Coast home in the U.S, Josh Gates admits that it is not best to meet your childhood heroes. But I have to say William Shatner was so fun to work with, he laughs heartily, He was everything I could have hoped for and more.

The producer and host of the long-running Expedition Unknown recalls a 2020 virtual interview he did for Josh Gates Tonight: Totally Jaw-some. Shatner was talking about how he was fascinated by and afraid of sharks and hes also a scuba diver. So as 2021 Shark Week kicks off this week, Gates is ready for audiences around the world to sink their teeth into the aptly-named hour-long special Expedition Unknown: Shark Trek.

While Totally Jaw-some was exciting and insightful, it was not enough for Gates who wanted to bring Shatner on board for this years physical Shark Week. When he pitched a diving experience for Shark Week to Shatner, the 90-year-old veteran actor impressed Gates once again with his insatiable curiosity for the world. He is so genuinely curious about everything that when you are around him, you can't help, but become curious too.

While the special is bound to be exhilarating, Shark Week is known for its edutainment-take on the conservation of these creatures

Read More | What it takes for the conservation of whale sharks in India

A slight embarrassment is audible in Gates voice as he admits, As a kid, I just devoured Star Trek, so to me, William Shatner is Captain Kirk. You cant separate those two things. When I first met him over a video chat before our diving trip, I had to swallow that and say, okay, you just cant geek out on this guy this whole trip. You have to just act like you are hanging out with just a regular person and not Captain Kirk. (laughs) Once that happened and we just went out there like two guys who were going on this diving adventure trip, we became friends which was gratifying. Part of it was putting aside my fanboyness and embracing the experience. But the other part was all about facing fear and doing some intense diving with sharks. For both Bill and me, it was a big lesson in conquering fear.

Gates curiosity about fear comes from, as he jokingly says, (a) because I am stupid and (b) because I do a lot of dangerous things for a living. On a more serious note, he loves to encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones without being reckless.

The earliest memory the 43-year-old has of stepping out of his comfort zone is his childhood trips to the U.K. His mother being British led to many of these travels, where the English was different and driving on the other side of the road was a thing. With this in mind, he insists that it is important to expose kids to things that are different from what they know . I was shaped by those experiences of going abroad as a kid because I was in another country and culture, having a language barrier. A lot of the trips that I take now, Im in places where I cant speak the language. That stuff becomes less intimidating because you're used to it and you're exposed to it.

He adds, One of Americas big challenges is that, we are in some ways as big a country as we are, are weirdly an isolated and we tend to travel domestically. I think that so many folks just havent had the experience of just being dropped in a foreign country.

And who knows, all these experiences would lead lead Gates and William Shatner in some open waters with sharks. Gates chuckles, Nobody knew! I mean the entire time that we were in the Bahamas, I just kept looking at Shatner and going, this is impossible. Shatner is next level. I think my episode with him is a great opportunity for viewers to see William Shatner in a whole new life. He is such a natural adventurer and a natural explorer. He is so curious. If you are a Star Trek fan, you will really love it because I geek out on him a lot during the show.

Then again, Gates himself is no small name with eight seasons of Expedition Unknown under his belt so far, a series that has taken him to the Himalayas, the Kalahari Desert, the the Ayasofya in Constantinople, and more historic landmarks. Gates also is known for Destination Truth, Stranded and Ghost Hunters.

Dedicated to the beady-eyed apex predator, Shark Week is televisions longest-running summer event, returning for its 33rd year with bigger sharks, record-breaking breaches and 45 hours of shark programming.

The 2021 edition of Shark Week has some big pop culture names getting up close and personal with some beady-eyed sharks: comedian-actor Tiffany Haddish, rapper Snoop Dogg, Sharknado stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp, the cast of Jackass and Dr Sandra Lee aka Dr Pimple Popper.

Gates points out that while celebrities are involved, Mother Nature is the great equaliser. It doesn't matter if you are Tiffany Haddish or William Shatner, he explains, That is still an intimidating proposition. One of the fun things about Shark Week is seeing these people who you have a relationship with as a viewer; but you are going to see them not in a position that we usually see these folks in. Right? It also lets you, the viewer, a kind of experience along with them because suddenly they are really relatable.

Expedition Unknown: Shark Trek streams exclusively on July 12 on discovery+, and will air on the Discovery Channel on August 23 at 7 pm.

Continue reading here:

William Shatner is a natural explorer, says Josh Gates on Expedition Unknown: Shark Trek - The Hindu

Dear Carolyn,

My husband and I just returned from the Bahamas and I think we are going to be separating. While we were in the Bahamas, my husband took an interest in the Bahamian Sand Dollar. I was not sure what the appeal is in this Sand Dollar, but I am concerned that it could be used to hide assets out of the country. Can he hide assets in the Bahamas?

Carolyn Answers,

Your question is timely, and the answer is yes. The Sand Dollar may be easy to hide for now. The Bahamian Sand Dollar is the new Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) of the Bahamas. The Bahamas is one of the first countries to issue a CBDC. China is close to issuance. In conjunction with MIT, the United States Federal Reserve in Boston is studying a U.S. digital dollar issuance. A CBDC is a cryptocurrency issued by the central bank of a country, as contrasted with Bitcoin or Diem, which are private cryptocurrencies.

A CBDC is digital and requires either 1) an account or 2) a digital wallet. A cryptocurrency in another country can be hard to trace in a divorce, but not impossible as far as the Bahamas is concerned. The trail for a Sand Dollar will likely be picked up from examining banking records in the U.S. and tracing to the Bahamas. Credit card records are also essential to investigate, as Mastercard has launched a powerful platform for using the Bahamian Sand Dollar.

Send your questions on family law and divorce matters to Ask Carolyn at askcarolyn@rhinotimes.com, or P.O. Box 9023, Greensboro, NC 27427. Please do not put identifying information in your questions. Note that the answers in Ask Carolyn are intended to provide general legal information, and the answers are not specific legal advice for your situation. The column also uses hypothetical questions. A subtle fact in your unique case may determine the legal advice you need in your individual case. Also, please note that you are not creating an attorney-client relationship with Carolyn J. Woodruff by writing or having your question answered by Ask Carolyn

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Ask Carolyn: July 9, 2021 - The Rhino Times of Greensboro - The Rhino TImes

Deandre Ayton is enjoying a fine season with Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in 2021. The 2018 first overall pick is benefiting from the arrival of experienced hooper Chris Paul. The latter joined from OKC Thunder in the offseason and led the Suns to the Western Conference title by beating the LA Clippers.

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The Suns are currently embroiled in a hard-fought NBA Finals series with Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks. Booker and Co. have a slender 2-0 lead but will have to keep their heads down and push hard if they want to win a first-ever championship title for the Arizona-based franchise.

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Deandre is from Nassau, in the Bahamas. His father is Nigerian and his mother, Andrea, is of Jamaican and Bahamian origins. He moved to the USA in order to play high school basketball in California. The rest, as we now know, was fate.

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Bahama-born Mychal Thompson became the first player from the Caribbean Islands to be drafted as the 1st overall pick at the NBA Draft in 1978. He kickstarted his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers before playing alongside HOFers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His son Klay Thompson, is part of the Golden State Warriors franchise and features along with Steph Curry.

But even Thompson Sr. agrees that the attention he received almost 40+ years ago is nothing in comparison to all the noise surrounding Deandre Ayton.

Youve got to think back to those times. We had no cellphones, no social media, no [ESPN reporter] interviewing me in a hotel room with all this fancy camera equipment. I remember I went to New York, met with the commissioner. They announced the pick, I shook his hand. Some guy had a Polaroid, took a picture of us, Thompson said in an earlier interview.

In a recent feature story by The Undefeated, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis met with Deandre Ayton and his family in order to acknowledge his impact on the islanders. In fact, Minnis went on to suggest that Ayton might possibly be an heir to his throne in the years to come.

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You are sitting in the prime ministers seat. Thats where I sit. So I dont know if that is some premonition for what is to come, because when I was your age, I would have never even dreamt that I would be sitting up here just like you in the cabinet office and even becoming prime minister one day, Minnis told Ayton in the interview.

The sky is truly the limit for this 22-year old kid. But right now all his attention will be focused on the ongoing NBA Finals series. Watch this space for more.

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Deandre Ayton Girlfriend: Who is the Phoenix Suns Star Dating?

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Can Deandre Ayton become Bahamas Prime Minister? The Current PM Thinks He Might - EssentiallySports

Search and rescue continues: We are committed to finding Drew, by any means necessary.HOPEFUL: We are still very hopeful that a miracle will take place and we will be reunited with Drew.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS More than 24-hours after he was ejected from a Jet Ski that collided with a boat near Rose Island on Sunday, family members and friends of 28-year-old Drew Rigby remain hopeful that he will be found alive.

Police said they received reports that a 26 ft. Sea Craft with six people on board collided with a Jet Ski with two men on board shortly after 7pm.

According to reports, the passenger on the Jet Ski, who has been identified as Rigby, was ejected into the water and the driver sustained injuries to both of his legs.

Police said its Marine Department in conjunction with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force conducted a search of the area; however, Rigby was not found.

Family members restarted their search early Monday morning, making a public call for assistance.

Several volunteers, including friends and family members of Rigby, showed up to join the search and rescue efforts.

The search continued throughout the day but stopped shortly after 6pm, with no sight of the missing 28-year-old.

Rigbys godbrother, Xavier Simms said:We are still in a hopeful optimistic frame of mind. We are hoping for the best but we are also aware of what could possibly be the outcome.

We are not stopping the search and rescue efforts at the moment. We are committed to finding Drew, by any means necessary.

He is a loving guy if you ever met him, he said.

People who come into contact with him know he just loves people and loves to talk. That is what he did well.

Simms continued: We are still very hopeful that a miracle will take place and we will be reunited with Drew.

He said the family is doing their best given the situation.

We are realistically optimistic, he added. We know what can happen but we are also hoping for the best.

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force did not release any details on the matter up to press time.

More:

'WE ARE HOPEFUL': Family and friends hoping for a miracle to find missing 28-year-old - EyeWitness News

A well-established destination for yachts, The Bahamas has been open for tourists since June of last year. Kaisa Pace, US charter manager for Hill Robinson, discusses how the region successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and why it continues to attract visitors to its islands.

The past 18 months have presented the yachting world with challenges and changes, but the appeal of the sunny Bahamas never stopped. Kaisa Pace, US charter manager for Hill Robinson grew up visiting the islands and happily reports that this region was able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bahamas market has been steadily growing since summer 2020 when it was one of the few destinations allowing yachts to enter with measured procedures, thereby making it possible for guests to come in with COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, she remarks.

As well as industry stakeholders such as Hill Robinson, Kaisa attributes the success to the Association of Bahamas Marina (ABM), which worked as a lifeline during the pandemic, ensuring that the islands were able to enjoy the benefits of visiting yachts, while making sure everyone was safe. ABM was a huge driving force. They were working closely with the government and the yachting industry to connect with the charter managers and be in the know about what everyone needed. They saw that the yachts were self-contained revenue generators that are able to bring in tourist dollars safely.

Kaisa Pace, US charter manager for Hill Robinson

Since last June when The Bahamas opened for tourists, Kaisa has seen hundreds of vessels leaving south Florida to cruise there. The islands COVID protocols are great, Ive been over twice this year and there are excellent safety checks in place the processes are nearly seamless. Fully vaccinated travelers are now free to the travel to the islands without a negative COVID test and unvaccinated travelers can still enter with a negative test, followed by frequent testing, and social distancing restrictions remain on the islands.

As the yachting world collects itself after an eventful year, Kaisa is confident in the industrys recuperation. For us, 2021 has started off with incredible growth as weve added three quality yachts to our charter fleet since January, including 44.81m (127) M/Y Audaces. Built in 2014 by Sunrise Yachts, Audaces (ex Atom) was designed by Paolo Scanu and boasts an interior by Darnet Design. Her five large staterooms can accommodate up to 11 guests, who will be able to take advantage of the best of the Bahamian weather on her vast exterior sun decks and newly renovated beach club.

Audaces is just one of the Hill Robinson fleet yachts available for charter in The Bahamas this summer. When Kaisa highlights unending list of activities and destinations in the region, it is easy to see why it is a hotspot for yacht charters. The extensive cruising opportunities include the better known Exuma island chain, the famous Berry Islands known for excellent fishing, diving and several secluded beaches. Andros Island is considered a hidden gem among those who have visited the largest of the Bahamian islands many times. It is home to the vibrant Androsia fabric seen throughout the Bahamas and found in the local markets.

Kaisa anticipates another record year for The Bahamas, thanks to charter policies in place that protect all parties involved. Hill Robinson is gearing up for an active summer and were seeing a lot more confidence in bookings with our COVID policies. Were now in a market where people seem to be comfortable with rescheduling terms, which is a sense of comfort for both charter clients and owners.

As more destinations open to visitors around the world, The Bahamas continues to offers a safe sanctuary for those chartering this summer.

Click here to view Hill Robinson's charter fleet

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The Bahamas : a success story with Kaisa Pace - Superyacht News - The Superyacht Report

Buoyed by one of the Caribbeans leading travel health systems, The Bahamas is seeing a broad tourism rebound.

Indeed, tourism is rebounding every day in The Bahamas, Tourism Minister Dionisio DAguilar said this week.

Almost 300,000 visitors have received Bahamas Travel Health visas to enter the country in the first five months of 2021, according to DAguilar.

Tourism industry stakeholders in The Bahamas told Caribbean Journal that the countrys recent decision to waive pre-testing requirements for vaccinated travelers was also a major move.

Everyone sees it, DAguilar said. The airports are getting busier. The marinas up and down The Bahamas have never been busier. The occupancy levels in the hotels are improving and, most importantly, the tens of thousands of Bahamians who were furloughed as a result of this pandemic are slowly being called back to work.

Its borne out in the numbers.

A total of 294,000 visitors have received health visas, with a dramatically improving growth rate.

In January, the country approved 22,000 visas; 30,000 in February; 64,000 in March; 68,000 in April and 110,000 in May.

The rate of increase in their return is phenomenal, DAguilar said. Tourism is bouncing back.

And the recovery is not just in the countrys traditional tourism hub in Nassau.

About 60 percent of visitors are traveling to Nassau, while 40 percent are visiting the Out Islands.

That confirms to me that the [Out Islands] are bouncing back faster than Nassau, he said.

Indeed, in 2019, pre-pandemic, the breakdown was 75 percent Nassau and 25 percent Out Islands.

Thats been led by Eleuthera, mostly Harbour Island, which accounted for 27 percent of all visitors to the Out Islands, DAguilar said, followed by 20 percent going to Bimini and Cat Cay and 19 percent to Abaco.

Another 17 percent went to Exuma.

The Minister attributed that trend to the demand fro low-density, secluded vacations at smaller properties, the kinds which are a specialty in the Out Islands.

That is exactly what happened, he said.

For more, visit The Bahamas.

CJ

See the article here:

Tourism Is Rebounding in The Bahamas Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal

A 44-foot SAFE boat donated to the RBDF by U.S. Northern Command, demonstrating its maneuvering capabilities and top speed of 36 knots, just off the coast of New Providence, near the RBDF Headquarters at Coral Harbour Base | June 22, 2021; Nassau, The Bahamas. (Photo credit: US Embassy Nassau)

On June 22, the United States government continued to demonstrate its commitment to shared security and safety of The Bahamas and the United States, donating three high-speed SAFE boats, radio communications equipment, and biometrics equipment to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF)for a total value of about $5.9 million dollars. The handover took place at RBDF Headquarters at Coral Harbour Base, and further solidifies the robust security partnership between the U.S. and the Bahamas.

U.S. Charg dAffaires Usha Pitts, accompanied by Rear Admiral Daniel Cheever and Major General Michelle M. Rose of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), as well as Major General Christopher Callahan of the Rhode Island National Guard (RING) and U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official Commander Kevin Self all participated in the handover ceremony and toured the impressive array of donations, as well as the installations at Coral Harbour Base.

Upon officially delivering the donation. Charg dAffaires Usha E. Pitts noted that were here celebrating a long and lasting partnership. Charg Pitts noted that, your [The Bahamas] security is our security, and vice versa, and emphasized that we and The Bahamas have a shared history, shared values, and we both enjoy the fruits of democracy.

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames,Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF)Commodore Raymond King and other Bahamian officials were on hand to receive and formally thank their U.S. partners for the equipment.

Todays donation is a tangible testament to our partnership. It illustrates how fundamentally important citizen safety and security is to our two nations. Truly, we are all in this together, said Rear Adm. Cheever. We hope this equipment will facilitate greater security for all and serve as a reminder of our enduring partnership.

The donation includes two 44 SAFE boats and one 33 SAFE boat, all of which are primarily used for open-ocean interdiction. Additional equipment includes long-range communications for patrol vessels as well as land communication systems, Harris radios and spare parts to augment the RBDFs existing HF/VHF Harris radio inventory. Another Land Mobile Radio (a trunked radio system that allows inter-island communication) was part of the donation. Currently, there is a Land Mobile Radio set up between Great Inagua and New Providence. This system will also be made available on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

The RBDF also received biometrics collection kits and forensics equipment that will allow U.S. and Bahamian law enforcement partners to continue to improve transnational security efforts.

By U.S. Embassy Nassau | 22 June, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases

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US Helps Keep Bahamas Safe: Donates $5.9 Million in Boats, Comms Equipment to RBDF - US Embassy in The Bahamas

"WE'RE MAKING VACATIONS MORE ENJOYABLE," SAYS PARADISE CEO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TESTD Inc., a blockchain-based company that produces electronic medical records software, has announced that TESTD is now providing management software to Paradise Healthcare, an on-premises healthcare provider in the Bahamas. The new software allows guests at the resort Paradise serves to comply with Bahamian government health and safety regulations without missing a beat of their vacations.

TESTD Inc. provides electronic medical records (EMR) software built on blockchain technology for encryption and HIPAA compliance. TESTDs initial product is its platform TESTD, which automates COVID-19 and other medical test scheduling, manages data, and allows digital vaccination verification. (PRNewsfoto/TESTD Inc.)

TESTD speeds up COVID testing so resort in the Bahamas can comply with regulations and not impact guests' holidays.

With TESTD software, guests can self-schedule COVID tests and appear for tests at one of the many testing stations Paradise Healthcare staffs at the resort. The quick test satisfies the government's mandate without impacting a guest's enjoyment of the resort's amenities. Plus, they can travel home knowing they are safe when vacation's over.

"We are delighted to work with TESTD, because our patients are," said Dr Theodore Turnquest, Medical Director, Paradise Healthcare. "TESTD has greatly improved our check-in and wait times for COVID testing and has improved customer satisfaction."

"Paradise Healthcare has made testing seamless for guests, and we're thrilled they've trusted us with this important assignment," said Nicholus Andrews, CEO of TESTD. "No one wants to spend their vacations standing in line at the clinic, especially not in a place as beautiful as the Bahamas where there's so much to do -- even if all you are doing is relaxing in the sand."

Staying safe

To ensure tourists have a safe holiday, the Bahamian government requires proof of a negative PCR test prior to arrival for all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated guests over the age of 11, and a rapid antigen test on Day 5 of a longer stay.

In order to help resort guests with their required Day 5 tests, Paradise Healthcare has five stations around the resort for testing. Guests can use a smartphone to schedule a test and check-in quickly when they arrive for an appointment. They can also schedule dependents at the same time. A quick scan of an individual's appointment record allows the technician to pair that individual to a test kit for processing. Paperwork and hand-entry of data are eliminated, removing bottlenecks and opportunities for errors.

Story continues

Thanks to the TESTD system, the resort's healthcare provider is performing as many as one thousand tests a day.

The TESTD flexible, secure platform

TESTD's platform has been deployed at nursing homes, hotels, and high-volume drive up testing sites where speed, accuracy, security, and confidentiality are required

TESTD encrypts all data using blockchain technology and is compliant with HIPAA guidelines in the U.S. as well as international standards for data security and privacy. Blockchain sets TESTD's process in sharp contrast to systems deployed elsewhere in the world where information is delivered to a central authority and security has been debated.

"Testing and vaccination verification are both important tools to get our society re-opened," said Andrews. "TESTD is happy to be there for Paradise Healthcare, its dedicated employees, and guests at the resort."

More information is available at http://www.TESTD.com.Media inquiries: Alan Goodman, alan@testd.com, 646-543-ALAN (2526)

TESTD Inc. provides electronic medical record (EMR) technology, based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It was founded in March 2020. TESTD's initial product is its platform TESTD, which automates medical test scheduling, manages testing data, and organizes the data for easy reporting. For sales, contact Eric Forst at 310-403-4589.

Cision

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TESTD Announces Agreement With Paradise Healthcare To Manage COVID Testing In The Bahamas - Yahoo Finance