SINCE starting its free COVID-19 testing pilot programme in New Providence earlier this month, the government has tested 7,565 people with 567 — or seven percent — testing positive.
The figures were provided by the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
Officials also said free testing on Grand Bahama will begin tomorrow at Christ the King, Foster B Pestaina Centre in Freeport.
With the capacity to test some 200 people a day, interested individuals can register online at https://covidtest.gov.bs.
“Free testing is part of a larger government effort to reduce the impact of the new, ultra- transmissible COVID-19 variants,” a press release from OPM said.
“Additionally, the government remains committed to combating the virus by expanding its vaccine and booster efforts, handing out medical-grade masks, setting stricter limits on the size of social gatherings, public education campaigns and expanding healthcare capacity.”
Speaking about the upcoming roll-out in Grand Bahama, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said: “We are pleased to assist and partner with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to facilitate the rollout of the free COVID-19 testing programme on Grand Bahama.
“This initiative is the fulfilment of a promise the Davis administration made to the Bahamian people and advancing the infrastructure of our healthcare system is one of the mandates of the Ministry for Grand Bahama. I’m extremely delighted to see this materialise today and I encourage the residents of Grand Bahama to protect themselves by taking advantage of this opportunity.”
Ms Moxey also thanked the labs that have partnered with the government on this initiative.
The COVID-19 free testing pilot programme was rolled out in New Providence on January 8, following success in Eleuthera, Inagua, Bimini and the Berry Islands. Plans are underway to expand free testing to Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama next.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 10 months ago
no way of knowing if those tested are representative of the population, no way of knowing if those testing positive were ill or asymptomatic and just caught in the mandatory testing dragnet...
Summary: after 2 years, no way of knowing
John 2 years, 10 months ago
One virologist is of the opinion that every single person on the planet will get the Omicron strain of Covid-19. And how milf it is or how badly it affects you will be determined, not by how vaccinated you are, but how strong and healthy your natural immune system is. And this virologist went so far as to suggest that populations under the Omicron attack cease vaccinations. Data has proven that no matter how vaccinated a person is, the effectiveness of the vaccines against omicron is zero. In fact is was strongly suggested that Omicron developed among vaccinated people. And of more concern is sudden deaths among vaccinated persons that may be effects of the vaccines. Persons who are taking three and four booster shots are definitely looking for trouble further down the road.
John 2 years, 10 months ago
“ Another resident told DW: "It's very nice to see everyone going out and about, relaxing, going outside. We've been locked down in our houses for how long now?! I hope that omicron is actually the final stage of this virus." South African virologist Wolfgang Preiser told DW that the behavior of the omicron variant gives hope that the pandemic could become endemic. But he added that it could only be achieved when most of the population has a primary immunity from a previous infection or vaccination. "I still hope we can get around regular booster shots," Preiser said. "If another variant doesn't come as a nasty surprise, then we can keep our immunity up by natural means via regular reinfections with the coronavirus," Preiser added. ”
John 2 years, 10 months ago
‘ Omicron, first detected and documented in South Africa, is becoming the dominant variant in many parts of the world, including across Africa. A South African study has shown that, despite the high number of infections, deaths haven't increased statistically significantly when compared with previous variants. The fourth wave of infections has been slowing in South Africa, and life is gradually returning to normal for the first time since the pandemic's start in 2020. "I do wish that I won't even hear the name COVID. That's what we are wishing for," one resident of Cape Town told DW.’
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