NASSAU, BAHAMAS Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that The Bahamas is not in a good place as it continues to see a climb in new COVID-19 infections.<\/p>\n
With a significant increase in cases over the past few weeks, officials have confirmed The Bahamas isexperiencing a third waveof coronavirus infections.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Eyewitness News, Sands noted that over the last 14-days the country has averaged nearly 60-cases per day, calling the rise in cases a very unfortunate situation.<\/p>\n
Sands said: Weve had more cases in April than March, February, and January combined. That is a very, very concerning issue because cases come first and deaths come after.<\/p>\n
Weve seen a number of younger people hospitalized, some in their 20s, some in their 30s, thats not a good thing.<\/p>\n
The Bahamas recorded 336 cases in January and 335 cases in February.<\/p>\n
Cases nearly doubled in March with 613 cases.<\/p>\n
There were more than 1,200 cases recorded in April.<\/p>\n
Between Friday and Saturday, health officials reported 96 new COVID-19 cases.<\/p>\n
Of those cases, 72 were on New Providence, 13 on Grand Bahama, one on Bimini & Cat Cay, one on Abaco, one on Eleuthera, two on Exuma, one on Long Island, one on Andros; and four additional cases with locations pending.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health has confirmed six deaths that were previously under investigation to be COVID-related, bringing the total number of COVID deaths to 209.<\/p>\n
The six deaths, all on Grand Bahama, included four women, ages 69, 68, 64, and 61; and two men, ages 80 and 56.<\/p>\n
Another 24 deaths remain under investigation while a total of 44 deaths have been classified as non-COVID-related.<\/p>\n
There are currently 52 hospitalized cases, 48 of which are moderately ill and four are in the intensive care unit (ICU).<\/p>\n
The total number of cases in the country stands at 10,519, of which 711 remain active.<\/p>\n
Sands insisted yesterday that Bahamians must continue to follow public health protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, and washing their hands, in order for the country to get a handle on the cases.<\/p>\n
That is where we are falling down as a people right now, he said.<\/p>\n
He warned that stricter protocols, such as lockdown and shorter curfews, may have to be considered if the behavior does not change.<\/p>\n
We are absolutely not in a good place and hopefully we will see the trend turn or the tide change. But to have an average over 14-days of 58 to 60 cases is not good, he added.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Renward Wells has said the government does not intend to implement stricter protocols and has highlighted a need for more enforcement instead of restrictions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Original post:<\/p>\n
TEETERING: More cases in April than first three months of 2021 - EyeWitness News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NASSAU, BAHAMAS Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that The Bahamas is not in a good place as it continues to see a climb in new COVID-19 infections. With a significant increase in cases over the past few weeks, officials have confirmed The Bahamas isexperiencing a third waveof coronavirus infections. Continue reading