Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune staff
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AFTER the announcement that free COVID-19 testing will be piloted on Family Islands most at risk for spread of the virus, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the programme is anticipated to start in Great Inagua today.
The minister told reporters that there are some clusters on some Family Islands that are a great concern, noting the Berry Islands, North Eleuthera and Iguana.
He said “we cannot give an exact cost” for the free testing initiative, but, he said, officials are minimising the expense.
“We anticipate that our launch will start effectively tomorrow (Wednesday) in Inagua but again there’s a few small logistical issues that we’re putting together and hopefully I would have the exact departure time for that particular team later on today,” he told reporters before heading into a Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“This is our plan to be in Great Inagua tomorrow and set up testing areas in two different sites and to make sure that we have the necessary social distancing and from there they will be on Inagua for Thursday and will be departing on Friday and likewise we will definitely be announcing when we’re going to do it in North Eleuthera; when we’re going to do it on the Berry Islands; when we’re going to do it in South Eleuthera.”
He said rapid antigen tests will be used initially.
“Well, initially, we will be using (the) rapid test, but rapid test is not a diagnostic test it has to be in conjunction with PCR tests and (we) will definitely be (using) PCR tests.
“But the whole purpose of determining what’s going on on these islands is to determine whether… our COVID cases are still contained in the cluster (or) are we beginning to see sub-clusters or signs of community spreads and based on what we find the necessary security measures will be implemented, but I’d like to say the days of lockdowns are pretty much behind us… Every country has to manage COVID and we need to improve the way we are managing COVID here with new techniques and new things coming out of our toolbox.”
Asked if residents who have positive rapid tests will then receive a PCR test as a follow up measure, he said: “It all depends on the medical algorithms. You see when you do a PCR test you have a test that’s in front of you that says negative or positive. You must begin to use medical algorithms to look at the integrity and the strength of what the positive is all about. As a physician, we all know that you don’t treat tests, you treat people and so it’s important to initiate medical algorithms along with the rapid antigen test so that you can create more validity...”
The Ministry of Health previously said it was dispatching COVID-19 surveillance and enforcement units to Inagua, North Eleuthera, and the Berry Islands with “the intention to review COVID-19 cases, tighten surveillance protocols, and better support those who need to isolate and quarantine.”
Dr Darville explained the rationale further for law enforcement on these islands.
“One of the things that our surveillance unit has reported back is that there is a possibility or the fact that our clusters may have lost its integrity with individuals who are in quarantine breaking quarantine. Tighter restrictions are absolutely necessary because we will have clusters of COVID infection from time to time throughout our country and it’s better that we have a protective measure in place and so I did send additional police officers into Iguana, into North Eleuthera, and the Berry Islands to ensure that our ability to monitor and to protect the clusters so we don’t have sub-clusters and the possibility of community spread,” he said.
“What we are also looking at is an additional digital platform in order for us to best manage and to surveillance in order to maintain our clusters.”
Asked how many people in North Eleuthera and the Berry Islands were quarantined, Dr Darville said to his knowledge he thinks about 23 to 28 individuals in quarantine and in isolation: 14 in Harbour Island, eight in Lower and Upper Bower Bogue, and about four, possibly five, in Spanish Wells.
As for the Berry Islands, he admitted he did not remember the numbers off hand as there are clusters on many islands.
“On the Berry Islands, there is a cluster we are monitoring,” the minister added.
Comments
tribanon 3 years ago
What good does all of this "free" testing do when government still has not addressed the human trafficking problem that has COVID-19 laden Haitian nationals illegally flowing into our country? And we all know nothing is really "free" which means government is paying for all of this testing that is making a select few in our country filthy rich at the expense of Bahamian taxpayers Darville clearly thinks we are all dumber than dumb idiots.
carltonr61 3 years ago
Is he creeping to become minnis, sands and wells?
carltonr61 3 years ago
He has acquired the gaTe$ PAHO zombie stare.
sheeprunner12 3 years ago
Another gimmick ...... Two years too late
John 3 years ago
The clusters on the Family Islands began with the election campaigning and then the subsequent Elections. People got the virus and some died. So then there were funerals that attracted more ‘outsiders ‘ to the island and caused more social gatherings. There was a funeral on a family island that was described as being ‘like homecoming.’ People flew in for the event and all the mailboats and ferries, came in ‘jam packed.’ There were large social gatherings and more people got sick and some died from Covid. This is one of the islands currently under investigation for new clusters of cases and deaths. So it is not just always a single event but a series of events that can cause these clusters of new cases and deaths. Persons must be willing to follow all safety protocols including social distancing and avoid large crowds . And these restrictions must be rigorously enforced , And without favor. Funerals seem to be the most frequent social event now. Not only has the number of funerals increased, but the crowds attending have gotten larger. Then the after parties that can now go on until 12 midnight !
John 3 years ago
And despite all the hype and controversy, persons have to be reminded that vaccines are not a cure for Covid that turn one into super invincible humans, it is just one of the tools being used to combat the virus
sheeprunner12 3 years ago
But that is how ppl were sold the vaccine. Big mistake
rosiepi 3 years ago
The only erroneous info about the vax were the scare tactics spread that ended up costing lives and life long health problems. If you'd read w/o any cognitive bias you'd have noted that it was predicted that if everyone isn't vaxx'd in time the virus will mutate and just like the flu we'll always be playing catch up. Measles, smallpox and polio are success stories, Covid is not because of Covidiots like you.
tribanon 3 years ago
I have a niece pursuing an advanced degree in one of the bio tech fields at U of C at Berkeley who recently told me the masking and social distancing requirements are nothing but political BS, especially given the infinitesimally small size of the COVID-19 virus and its ability to stay aloft in even the most still air for up to 20 minutes. She also mentioned that her professors and peers believe the original virus was bio-engineered because it exhibits way too many unnatural gain-of-function characteristics and kills for the most part those of us with certain combined risk factors like old age and obsesity being near the top of the list.
ohdrap4 3 years ago
I think so about masks too, but I think these measures cost nothing. It is like making the sign of the cross or knocking on wood.
Because it cost nothing, I comply, and do not worry if my mask is a little loose fitting.
What is disgusting is the so called passports. No wonder people are protesting all over the world.
I confess I am releved at the social distancing at this time when my income is reduced. I do not have to patronize costly events or even pay tithes. i am glad not to have to attend funerals or having to buy wedding gifts.
sheeprunner12 3 years ago
So, what does she say about these "vaccines"? ..... That's the real BS
newcitizen 3 years ago
Don't lie, you don't have a niece or one that is at UC Berkeley. You still live at home leaching off your mom who desperately wants you to go out and get a job instead of sh*tposting nonsense all day on a website that is read by like 20 people.
tribanon 3 years ago
I guess you're that 20th person. LOL
Bobsyeruncle 3 years ago
There are a gazillion different areas of Biotech, the majority of which wouldn't even touch the subject matter of viruses. It's unlikely that neither your niece (imaginary or not), or any of her professors would have anymore than just a basic understanding of viruses & air flow mechanics.
tribanon 3 years ago
Be careful with those double negatives, but I suspect your "neither" was intended to be "either". And as for my niece, you'll just have to accept my word that she's not only quite real, but also intelligent and knowledgeable in many areas of the bio sciences.
Bobsyeruncle 3 years ago
Yup, that double negative was a mistake. "Neither" should not have been there.. And, I'm not doubting your nieces intelligence, but I stand by what I said about the myriad of different areas of Biotech since it's an area I've been heavily involved in for decades.
licks2 3 years ago
Qanon. . .noticed how the "list" ran the course of the most prolific " anti-vaccers" rants on the globe right now!! Funny how UC is one of the primary centers for "mainstream" vaccines supporters and its "so called" Biotech department is soooooooooo Qanon. . .or else, this person "trynna swing we" with BS!
tribanon 3 years ago
?
John 3 years ago
so when is the book and movie coming out? surely she must have posted on Tik Tok and YouTube already
tribanon 3 years ago
ZZZZZzzzzzz.......
rosiepi 3 years ago
No sale, absolute hogwash to put it politely. Its a wonder your so called "niece" has advanced at all spouting.views that the Berkeley professional community recently spoke out against! And if that were true healthcare workers would be dying in droves, all of us masking up would be sickened...
Its shameful when anyone deliberately puts his fellow citizens in harm's way, spreading manure hopeful of something growing to glorify themselves.
TalRussell 3 years ago
The Popoulaces are shakin' they heads at being unsure if they're getting straight talking honest clarity as to what, if any, is the quantity vaccines that are currently being administered and on what out islands and everything like that?
Makes no sense test a Popoulaces without following up with jabs whilst experiencing shortages hospital beds and zero follow-up and supervised quarantine's?! — Yes?
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