On May 4, 2021, 650 COVID-19 tests were conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory revealing 31 positive cases.
Twenty-four of these new positives are all clients of the same ward at the Psychiatric Hospital. These 24 cases resulted from retesting of staff and clients of the ward, who were placed in quarantine, after a known male outpatient of the ward tested positive on April 28, 2021.
The clients were quarantined on site, while the staff were quarantined offsite at a mandatory, approved quarantine location. The quarantined staff have all tested negative and have been cleared to resume their work duties. The 24 clients will be isolated and managed on site. Testing on the wider staff and client population continues at the facility.
Of the seven additional positive cases detected on May 4, 2021, one individual, exhibited respiratory symptoms, and presented to the Wildey Gymnasium for testing; three persons were discovered through community contact tracing and the additional three cases were visitors to the island.
The visitors, having arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport with negative PCR tests, later tested positive for COVID-19, after being tested at the airport. All positive cases have been placed in isolation.
Despite falling numbers over the past several weeks, Barbados is still in the phase of community spread and the public is being reminded and cautioned to adhere to all protocols provided by the health care officials – the correct wearing of masks over the nose and mouth in public spaces; keeping a physical distance of six feet away from others, and implementing correct hand washing and sanitising practices.
If you are experiencing any respiratory or other symptoms of concern, please contact your health care provider for further intervention.