Bahamas records more deaths as Dominica reports new positive cases

The Bahamas recorded four deaths from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 72 new cases, as the virus continues to impact a number of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries including Dominica, which has now recorded news cases after having not done so for several months.

The Ministry of Health said that the death toll in the Bahamas now stands at 63 after the four persons –three women and one man – ages ranging from 46 to 71 died of the virus that has now infected 2, 657 people here.

It said that New Providence continues to have the highest number of cases, (1,725) followed by Grand Bahama (589) Abaco (95) and 54 in Bimini.

In Suriname, 59 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours bringing the total to 4,419 with 733 active cases.

There were no new deaths with the death toll remaining at 91 after 15 deaths were recorded on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Dominica, which in mid-August recorded its first coronavirus case in more than 100 days, is reporting six new cases, with two being recorded over the past 224 hours.

“We have now two new cases of COVID-19 that brings total number of confirmed cases to 24. These cases are imported cases and not contacts of previous cases,” said National Epidemiologist, Dr. Shaulludin Ahmed, noting that one is a 59-year-old woman and the other a 35-year-old man.

He said the individuals have been in isolation since their arrival here on September 5.

“Contact racing is ongoing (and) so far six direct contacts have been identified from these two individuals,” he added.

A 53-year-old Swedish visitor is Barbados’ latest case of COVID-19.  He arrived here on a charter flight on September 3, and tested positive for the viral illness on his second test, five days later.

He was the only positive result among the 164 tests performed by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.

Health authorities said that the numbers in isolation stand at 17, and recoveries have increased to 156.  There are now 180 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barbados, 93 females and 87 males.

Jamaica has recorded two additional COVID-19 related deaths and 140 news cases, health officials reported late Tuesday.

They said this brings the island’s death toll to 36 and the number of confirmed cases to 3,323.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, one of the deaths is a 77-year-old woman from St Catherine and the other is a 61-year-old man, also from St Catherine. The ministry said both patients had comorbidities, notably diabetes, renal disease, hypertension and high cholesterol.

Source: CARICOM TODAY