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Pandemic saw increase in gambling disorders, especially among women

THERE was an increase in gambling disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic with women being the most affected, according to a physician from the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

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Minister of Health says Exuma COVID cases ‘seem to be under control’

A WEEK after confirming a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Exuma, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday that officials are still monitoring the situation, but noted that “everything seems to be under control” on the island.

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COVID ‘under control’ in China despite wave of new measures

A CHINESE Embassy spokesperson yesterday insisted that the country has the COVID-19 situation there under control, arguing that commentary in international media regarding their virus policies is “nothing but double standards”.

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Mask mandate relaxed for schools

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has released a statement advising the public that effective 14th November, 2022 the mask mandate for all persons in an indoor classroom setting in an educational institution has been relaxed. This amendment is reflected in the Health Services (COVID-19)(PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY SPREAD)(AMENDMENT) Rules, 2022.

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COVID-19 sparked $200m private pension drawdown

Financially-stricken Bahamians drew down on more than $200m in private pension savings to ensure they survived COVID-19’s devastating economic impact, a financial executive revealed yesterday.

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Card spending rose 57% during COVID

Credit card spending in The Bahamas increased by 57 percent year-over-year during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers transitioned to digital and online payments, a survey has disclosed.

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Bahamas 15th in region for COVID-19 deaths

THE Pan American Health Organisation’s Health in the Americas country profile has revealed The Bahamas ranked 15th in the region for the number of COVID-19 released deaths from 2020 and 2021.

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Renward Wells ‘not opposed’ to lifting of mask mandate

FORMER Health Minister Renward Wells supports the removal of the mask mandate, but regarding the COVID- 19 response he said the Davis administration was simply following the protocols left behind by the former Free National Movement government.

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Super Value chief: Retain food store mask mandate

Super Value’s principal yesterday urged the Government to maintain the COVID mask mandate for supermarkets and prevent the sector from becoming “the number one spreader” of the virus.

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Three more deaths from COVID-19

MINISTRY of Health and Wellness officials have reported three more COVID-19 related deaths, pushing the nation’s death toll to 833.

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Seven more die from COVID

MINISTRY of Health and Wellness officials have reported seven more COVID-19 related deaths, pushing the nation’s death toll to 830.

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Darville claims COVID vaccine uptake is now increasing

DESPITE a noted drop in vaccination rates over the last several months, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said preliminary data suggests vaccine uptake is now increasing in the country.

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Paediatric COVID-19 vaccine will arrive on Saturday

Paediatric doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will arrive on Saturday and could be administered in the Bahamas as early as Monday, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville announced.

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‘Stay vigilant’ over two new COVID variants

A PAN American Health Organisation official has urged countries to remain vigilant in light of the emergence of two new fast spreading variants of COVID-19.

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Vaccines for children are on their way

THE Bahamas is expected to receive some 24,000 paediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccines at the end of this month, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday.

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Woman, aged 96, dies of COVID-19

OFFICIALS reported another COVID-19 related death yesterday.

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ECONOMY CRASHED $9.5BN FROM COVID: Full impact of crisis laid bare - including $2.4bn in lost wages

THE impact of COVID-19 on the Bahamian economy has been pegged at $9.5bn, according to a joint study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC).

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COVID collapse sparked rare $1.7bn ‘dual deficit’

Tourism’s “collapse” at COVID-19’s peak “exposed the fragility” of The Bahamas’ current economic model by producing rare twin goods and services trade deficits worth a combined $1.7bn.

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PAHO: Prepare now for post-COVID

PAN American Health Organisation (PAHO) director Carissa Etienne has urged countries in the region to prepare health systems now on how to deal with post COVID -19 conditions.

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46 new confirmed cases

FORTY-six new COVID-19 cases were recorded in The Bahamas on Saturday.

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One more death from COVID recorded

THE Bahamas has recorded another 77 COVID-19 cases and one death, according to the Ministry of Health & Wellness.

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Tests remain for unvaccinated

TOURISM, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said that a change to the requirement for unvaccinated travellers to be tested for COVID-19 is not being considered at present.

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COVID testing end ‘game changer’ for key markets

High-spending tourism markets have hailed the elimination of COVID entry testing and the Health Travel Visa as a potential “game changer” for The Bahamas given the reduced “hassle” involved in accessing the country.

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87 new cases of COVID

EIGHTY-seven new cases of COVID-19 were recorded last Thursday and Friday, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

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114 new COVID cases

THERE were 114 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the country on Friday and Saturday.

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US ends requirement to test before entry

THE United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced passengers entering the country no longer need to get tested or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in order to enter the US.

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Bahamas ‘stands out like sore thumb’ over COVID entry testing

Tourism executives are warning The Bahamas “stands out like a sore thumb” over its continued COVID entry testing measures after the US eliminated such restrictions with effect from midnight yesterday.

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Doctor concerned over hospital system capacity to handle COVID rise

A senior physician says she expects increases in the COVID-19 infection rate and is fearful the hospital system is unable to deal with the infected and its regular patients at the same time.

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CDC raises COVID risk rating to level three

TOURISM, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said he doesn’t expect the nation’s tourism product to be seriously affected after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention raised the country’s COVID-19 travel risk rating to level three due to increasing virus cases.

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Reclassification brings COVID death tally to 810

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness has clarified that COVID-19 deaths have not increased as the country battles its latest surge of infections.

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World Bank urges schools to stay open

A WORLD Bank official has said schools should remain open, while unpacking how the Caribbean region suffered the impact of learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Five weeks of rising COVID cases in region

FOR the past five consecutive weeks the Caribbean has experienced a rise in new COVID-19 infections, according to Pan American Health Organisation Director Dr Carissa Etienne yesterday.

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Cases up - but no change in restrictions

DESPITE a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is not at this time considering tightening measures.

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No recommendation to shut down more schools

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness does not recommend the closure of schools in New Providence at this time, despite having confirmed more than three dozen COVID-19 cases among staff and students over the last several weeks.

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SCHOOL SHUTDOWN: Queen’s College, SAC and St Anne’s revert to virtual tuition after COVID cases

THREE private schools have reverted to virtual learning, citing positive COVID-19 cases among either students or staff members.

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US raises COVID risk rating for Bahamas

THE United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has raised The Bahamas’ COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating to level two, moderate risk, in response to the recent rise in virus cases.

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Majority of new virus cases were transmitted locally

A LOCAL infectious disease expert said 65 percent of the new COVID-19 cases in the last epidemiological week were transmitted locally.

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Three senior staffers at Office of the Prime Minister have COVID-19

THREE senior staffers at the Office of the Prime Minister have tested positive for COVID-19.

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Cases dating back to 2020 add nine more COVID deaths

COVID-19 deaths have risen by nine to 798 after a woman died of the disease in early April and health officials reclassified several other deaths that took place between August 2020 and June 2021.

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Summit to discuss COVID and climate change

REGIONAL leaders are expected to discuss COVID-19’s impact, the effects of climate change as well as disaster preparedness at the ninth Summit of the Americas scheduled to be held in Los Angeles this summer.

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Officials monitoring ‘slight increase’ in cases of COVID

OFFICIALS at the Ministry of Health and Wellness are monitoring the “slight increase” in positive COVID-19 cases over the past few days and will be discussing ongoing concerns about the pandemic at an upcoming meeting this week.

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‘Roll back restrictions gradually’, expert advises

A LOCAL infectious disease expert says that while COVID-19 cases are low, public health measures should be rolled back gradually to ensure people’s safety.

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Ministry issues reminder for churches about COVID protocols

THE Ministry of Health & Wellness has reminded churches and places of assembly that adherence to COVID-19 protocols is required, namely mask wearing, sanitisation, and physical distancing during services.

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Extra $1.5m from US to fight COVID in Caribbean

THE United States government has announced plans to provide $1.5 million in urgent COVID-19 assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for countries in the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

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INSIGHT: Cautious but confident in this COVID lull

YESTERDAY marked a moment when things seemed to get back to normal for many Bahamians.

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28 new cases over three days

THE Ministry of Health recorded just 28 new cases of COVID-19 over a three-day period last week.

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Churches approved for 100% occupancy at services across The Bahamas

CHURCHES and places of religious worship across the country are now allowed to have services at maximum capacity, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said on Friday.

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PAHO calls for caution on COVID restrictions

ALTHOUGH COVID- 19 cases have been declining in the region, a Pan American Health Organisation official has called for caution amid a rollback of public health measures, saying there is a risk of a new coronavirus wave as cases surge in other jurisdictions.

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Inter-island travel to be test-free

PERSONS travelling from New Providence and Grand Bahama will no longer be required to take a COVID-19 test for inter-island travel, press secretary Clint Watson announced yesterday.

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Health Visa providers warned on testing end

Health Travel Visa providers have been informed that the scheme’s COVID testing component will soon end, it was confirmed yesterday, amid assertions they have been given two months’ warning by the Government.

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US drops COVID risk level for Bahamas

THE US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has de-escalated The Bahamas’ COVID-19 travel risk advisory rating to a Level 2, moderate risk, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday.

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Nine more COVID cases

THE country’s COVID- 19 case count has risen by nine, bringing the total to 33,230 since the start of the pandemic. Only 65 of those cases are active, however.

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Medical labs say COVID test model ‘unsustainable’

Medical laboratories have warned the Government they cannot continue providing COVID-19 tests unless it alters the “unsustainable” model by which they are paid via the Bahamas health travel visa.

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Infectious disease expert: 'You should still wear your mask'

A LOCAL infectious disease expert said while The Bahamas has successfully flattened the curve on the most recent COVID wave, people should still wear their masks.

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Nine more COVID deaths

NINE more COVID-19 deaths have been recorded, pushing the nation’s virus death toll to 786.

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Hotel staff want mask mandate to be extended

BAHAMAS Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union President Darrin Woods said with the country now receiving increased visitor arrivals, union officials would have liked to have the mandatory mask mandate for hotels remain for several more weeks.

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Retail chair: Ease mask ‘boiling point’

The Bahamas Federation of Retailers’ co-chair yesterday urged the Government to ease the COVID mask mandate for all businesses, not just hotels, given the “resistance” mounted by tourists.

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Masks indoors - but not for hotels in new rule changes

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness announced further relaxations to COVID-19 restrictions over the weekend, loosening mask requirements for those in hotels or outdoors and adjusting protocols for social gatherings, allowing larger events to take place.

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CDC alert eased in wake of cases fall

THE US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed The Bahamas’ travel risk rating from level four to level three, reflecting the decline in local COVID-19 cases.

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Officials monitor fourth wave

DESPITE a recent decline in COVID-19 cases, local officials say they are still monitoring current health data to determine whether the country’s fourth wave has ended.

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Grand Bahama hospital visitation restrictions to be relaxed

GRAND Bahama Health Services has announced that hospital visitation restrictions will be relaxed beginning Monday as a part of its phased return to normal services.

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Just two new cases of COVID recorded

THE Ministry of Health reported just two new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, the lowest number recorded so far this year.

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24 new cases confirmed in two days

THE Ministry of Health recorded 24 new cases of COVID-19 over a two-day period and one additional death.

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Bahamas at ‘critical point’ in gaining COVID balance

The Bahamas has reached “a critical juncture” in its battle against COVID-19 where it must balance saving lives and preserving livelihoods, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is warning.

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13 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness has reported 13 new cases of COVID-19.

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Relaxing the rules - but let’s play safe

THE government has relaxed restrictions on social gatherings, indoor dining and churches in response to the continued decline of COVID-19 cases.

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Four in ten Bahamians now fully vaccinated

A LOCAL infectious disease expert said about 40 percent of the population are fully vaccinated but cautioned against rescinding COVID-19 safety protocols too soon.

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19 new confirmed COVID cases

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness recorded 19 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the nation’s confirmed virus toll to 32,950.

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Ten more victims on COVID toll

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness reported 10 new COVID-19 deaths over the weekend, three of which were previously classified as deaths under investigation.

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Ministry to offer on-the-spot vaccinations after walkabouts

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness’ social mobilisation unit will set out for a third weekend on a walkabout in key communities to offer on-the-spot vaccinations and educational resources to its residents.

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13-day-old boy among COVID dead

THREE people, including a 13-day-old infant, have recently died from COVID-19, according to officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

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‘Don’t jump the gun to ease COVID protocols’

AS COVID-19 case numbers continue to trend downward, a local senior physician has said it may be time for officials at the Ministry of Health to begin discussions about easing restrictions.

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Five more deaths confirmed

THE Ministry of Health has reported five more COVID-19 deaths and 93 additional cases over a three-day period.

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Gov’t spends almost $400m on COVID aid

The Government spent nearly $400m supporting Bahamian households and businesses during the first 21 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was revealed yesterday.

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Drop in COVID cases - but nation not ready for future epidemics

A LOCAL infectious disease expert has noted a continued downward trend in the most recent COVID cases, but also acknowledged the country ranks among the lowest in preparedness for future epidemics.

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Eleven more COVID deaths added to toll

ELEVEN COVID-19 deaths were reported over a three-day period according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, pushing the total number of reported deaths in the country up to 746.

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Four more COVID-19 deaths confirmed

FOUR new COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed bringing the country’s fatality count to 735, according to the Ministry of Health Friday.

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Two more COVID deaths confirmed

THE Ministry of Health has recorded two more COVID-19 deaths.

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‘Most seeking COVID treatment still unvaccinated’

DOCTORS Hospital CEO Dr Charles Diggiss says that two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of patients seeking treatment for the contagious disease are still not vaccinated.

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101 new cases

THE Ministry of Health recorded 101 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and two more related deaths.

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69 new cases of COVID confirmed on Sunday

THE Ministry of Health recorded 69 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the nation’s confirmed case toll to 32,137.

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Crisis point for Grand Bahama over COVID hospitalisations

COVID-related hospitalisations are at a “crisis” on Grand Bahama, according to Dr Frank Bartlett, head of the island’s COVID-19 taskforce who reported that there are some challenges with space and staff shortage at Rand Memorial Hospital.

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Airlines ‘pay price’ over COVID surge with 15-20% drop

Bahamian domestic airlines have “paid the price” for the recent Omicron-led COVID case surge with a 15-20 percent drop in passenger numbers, an industry executive has revealed.

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375 new cases confirmed

THE Ministry of Health recorded 375 new cases of COVID-19 over a three-day period last week, with cases falling to the double digits for two of those days for the first time this month.

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Bahamas 'not out of OMICRON wave just yet'

A LOCAL infectious disease expert has said that despite the recent fall in COVID-19 cases, the country is “not out of the OMICRON wave just yet”.

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Seven percent test positive in free testing scheme

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.

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Seven more deaths added to COVID toll

SEVEN COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded so far this month, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness yesterday.

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CDC raises alert back to level 4

THE United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised this country’s travel warning from level three to level four due to the “very high” level of COVID-19 infections, advising people to avoid travel to The Bahamas.

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600 new COVID cases reported over weekend

MORE than 600 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the country over the weekend prompting Free National Movement chairman Carl Culmer to say more must be done to control the spread of the virus.

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‘Concerns’ over food programme controls

THE Davis administration is “concerned” about preliminary details which have emerged from the process of auditing the former government’s COVID-19 spending, with one official saying the lack of the availability of critical information is “disturbing”.

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Omicron ‘pushes back’ pre-COVID for tourism

Tourism’s hoped-for return to 2019 business volumes this year has been “pushed back” several months by Omicron with Internet searches for The Bahamas now “half” of pre-COVID levels.

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VIRUS CASES RISE IN CHILD POPULATION: Vaccine controls for youngsters may be behind infection rise

DEPUTY Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen says health officials have noted higher coronavirus infection rates among children, a grouping that does not have the same broad vaccine coverage as other subsets of society.

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Concern over spike in cases in Inagua

THE recent increase of COVID-19 cases in Inagua has left residents there concerned and on heightened alert, according to island administrator Marlon Leary.

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Adjusted guidelines for those testing positive or exposed to COVID-19

THE Health and Wellness Ministry has released adjusted guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to positive cases.

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388 new cases of COVID-19

THREE hundred and eighty-eight new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Thursday, Ministry of Health officials reported on Friday.

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‘Not a single merchant’ avoids COVID staff woe

The Bahamas Federation of Retailers’ co-chair yesterday said “there’s not a single merchant I’ve spoken to” who has escaped COVID staffing shortages as she branded Christmas “hit or miss”.

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Tourism urges Gov’t to cut 14-day quarantine

Bahamian tourism operators are urging the Government to reduce the 14-day COVID quarantine period, and bring it into line with US and UK measures, to give a further peak season boost.

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CDC raises Bahamas COVID-19 Travel Risk rating to level three

THE Bahamas’ COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating was increased to a level three —“reconsider travel” warning—yesterday by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in response to skyrocketing new infections believed to be caused by the Omicron variant.

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Worker shortage fears on Omicron explosion

Bahamian employers yesterday voiced fears that the rapid explosion in Omicron cases could result “in our whole system being challenged” by the absence of key workers.

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Dire predictions of how bad it could be

A NEW study has projected that due to the Omicron variant in The Bahamas, daily case numbers could reach a high of 2,610 by February 13.

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EXPLOSION: Staggering 1000 cases in two days with Omicron now running rampant

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard says the government is being too relaxed in handling the latest surge in COVID-19 cases after the country recorded an unprecedented 1,966 cases from December 27 to January 2.

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520 new cases of COVID-19

There were 520 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Thursday – a new record for a single day – bringing the total number to 24,996.

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207 new cases of COVID-19

TWO hundred and seven cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Wednesday, bringing the nation’s confirmed virus toll to 24,476.

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23 officers test positive for COVID-19

COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle revealed that currently 23 police officers have recently tested positive for the coronavirus, including three in Grand Bahama.

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VIRTUAL CLASS ONLY - FOR NOW: Face-to-face learning in public schools postponed

HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said the resumption of face-to-face learning in public schools has been postponed by at least two weeks as officials grapple with the fourth wave of COVID-19.

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Physicians concerned about hundreds of new cases

CONSULTANT physicians are concerned about the hundreds of COVID-19 cases recorded in recent days, a representative has told The Tribune.

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Prime Minister in isolation and his wife infected after family event

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis went into quarantine at around 11.30pm on Wednesday after he was exposed to COVID-19 from a close relative, but has so far maintained a negative status after multiple tests.

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Revised health rules released

THE government released revised health services rules last night to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

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CDC lowers our travel risk rating

THE United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered The Bahamas’ COVID-19 Travel Risk Advisory Rating from level three to level two, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

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COVID cases continue to ramp up

IT is possible that an uptick in COVID-19 cases is associated with the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and travel, according to local infectious disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes.

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UB Nursing school to relocate to make way for disease unit

THE University of the Bahamas’ Nursing School faculty is to relocate immediately from the Grosvenor Close Campus to make way for a temporary infectious disease unit to service a possible fourth wave of COVID-19 early next year.

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Six more deaths blamed on COVID

COVID-19 deaths have increased by six, bringing the overall count to 714.

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‘Follow protocols to keep numbers low’

A TOP infectious disease expert has cautioned that if The Bahamas is to maintain low case numbers, COVID-19 precautions and protocols must be followed, including avoiding large gatherings this holiday season.

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18 new cases of COVID-19

EIGHTEEN new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Health.

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No evidence of Omicron here yet

PAN American Health Organization officials say while there is no evidence the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is currently in The Bahamas, the country should not wait until it arrives but instead use preventative tools to stop its potential spread.

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Seven more confirmed cases

SEVEN new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Monday.

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Tourism’s fears ‘knee jerk’ COVID reaction

The Government was yesterday urged to avoid “knee jerk reactions” to new COVID variants as hotels voiced fears that “across-the-board” PCR testing could undermine their Christmas trade.

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Twenty new COVID deaths confirmed

COVID-19 deaths have surpassed 700, with 20 additional deaths reported by health officials over the weekend. The country now has 705 confirmed virus-related deaths.

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10 more COVID-19 deaths

TEN more COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed.

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U.S. steps up testing rule for entry into country

THE United States has announced tightened entry requirements for travellers entering the country, requiring a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure regardless of vaccination status.This begins next week.

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Eight more deaths attributed to virus

THE country’s COVID-19 death toll has risen by eight.

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Six more confirmed deaths from COVID

THE COVID-19 death toll has risen by six after several unclassified deaths were added to this category on Tuesday.

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More travel limits considered

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville says the government is considering tightening travel restrictions even further as more countries detect the new Omicron variant.

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Travel limits ‘to buy some time’ on COVID

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday said the government instituted new travel restrictions on several African countries in a bid to “buy some time” as there are too many unknowns regarding the characteristics of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.

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New COVID variant sparks restrictions

IN response to the new Omicron variant, the government announced yesterday it will impose travel restrictions against several African countries, including Botswana and Zimbabwe.

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20,000 vaccinated in Grand Bahama

ABOUT 20,000 persons today are fully vaccinated in Grand Bahama, but there is a concern over the significant drop-off in COVID-19 vaccinations recently on the island.

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21 COVID cases confirmed over weekend

THE Ministry of Health announced 21 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

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Two more COVID-19 deaths

TWO more people have been added to the nation’s COVID-19 death toll.

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COVID PATIENTS FACE NEW RISK: Experts warn mass use of anti-infection drugs poses threat

A PAN American Health Organisation official has raised the alarm about the “unprecedented” use of antimicrobials during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can lead to a rise in drug resistant infections.

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Ministry aiming to procure medications for COVID-19 treatment by end of the year

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness has set an end of year timeline to procure medications not currently in The Bahamas to treat people sick with the coronavirus.

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Four more die of COVID-19, bringing death toll to 665

FOUR more people have been added to the nation’s COVID-19 death toll, bringing the number to 665.

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14 more COVID deaths in October

FOURTEEN new COVID-19 deaths have been added to the nation’s death toll, pushing the number to 657.

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‘Case decline doesn’t signal we can relax’

DESPITE a notable decrease in COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions over the last several weeks, health officials still believe the country has not defeated the third wave of the virus.

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Updated requirements for air travel to the U.S.

STARTING on November 8, foreign national air travellers (those who are not US citizens or US permanent residents) to the United States will be required—with only very limited exceptions—to be fully vaccinated, and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an aircraft to fly to the United States.

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63-year-old man is latest COVID-19 death

THE Ministry of Health reported one new COVID-19 death and 27 new cases yesterday.

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Remaining honorariums paid next week

A PUBLIC Hospitals Authority official confirmed that the remainder of honorarium payments for COVID-19 front line workers will be made to qualifying employees next week.

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12 more COVID-19 deaths

TWELVE more persons, including a 16-year-old boy, have been added to the nation’s COVID-19 death toll, according to the Ministry of Health.

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‘Don’t let up in enforcing rules’

CONSULTANT Physicians Staff Association President Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler is concerned that enforcement of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions is on the decline.

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Coffins being shipped in bulk as deaths rise

THERE is “exponential” demand for more caskets due to a higher intake of remains at funeral homes amid increased deaths from COVID-19.

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THREE MORE DEATHS

THE COVID-19 death toll has risen to 608 after three more deaths were recorded on Monday.

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COVID death tally passes 600 milestone

THE Bahamas achieved another grim milestone over the weekend after the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths reached 605, with one senior physician warning the country could be grappling with another coronavirus surge.

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62 new COVID-19 cases

THE Ministry of Health reported sixty-two new COVID-19 cases and four more virus-related in its Thursday dashboard.

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Four more COVID deaths confirmed

THE Bahamas recorded 60 new cases of COVID-19 and another four virus-related deaths on Wednesday, according to data released by the Ministry of Health yesterday.

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Another 23 COVID deaths confirmed

Twenty-three new COVID-19 deaths were recorded in the country between Monday and Tuesday, pushing the nation’s toll to 582 since the start of the pandemic.

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Two more COVID deaths confirmed

TWO more coronavirus deaths were recorded on Sunday, according to the COVID-19 dashboard released by the Ministry of Health yesterday.

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MORE THAN 100K NOW VACCINATED . . . but confirmation of 20 more deaths shows COVID fight not over

THE Ministry of Health confirmed 20 additional COVID-19 deaths on the weekend, bringing the total to 557 to date.

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Two more deaths and 130 cases confirmed

THE Ministry of Health has recorded two more COVID-19 deaths and 130 new cases.

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Doctors warn COVID drop off is not clear

THE head of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association has said it is too early to determine if COVID-19 infections are trending downward, noting several factors could be contributing to the drop in confirmed virus numbers seen over the last few days.

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67 new cases of COVID confirmed

THE Ministry of Health recorded 67 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

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COVID death toll increases to 523

COVID-19 deaths have increased by one after an 81-year-old New Providence man died on September 7.

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Travel health visas no longer needed for inter-island trips

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville on Friday said travel health visas are no longer required for inter-island trips, although the government is still working on addressing the “necessary protocols” before it moves into eliminating the international travel health visa.

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COVID cases continue to drop

THE country continued its downward trend in infections on Monday after only 39 new COVID cases were recorded, bringing the nation’s overall tally to 20,288 since the start of the pandemic.

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34 new cases of COVID-19, 164 in hospital with virus

THE Ministry of Health reported 34 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday.

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185 new cases and six deaths confirmed

THE Bahamas recorded 185 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and six additional virus deaths over the weekend, bringing the nation’s overall tally to 20,215 cases since the start of the pandemic.

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Curfew relaxed as six more die

PRIME Minister Philip Davis said a decision was made to extend the nightly curfew to 11.59pm because there was “no rhyme or reason” for the restriction previously being set at 9pm under the former Minnis administration.

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116 new cases of COVID-19, 22 virus-related deaths

MINISTRY of Health officials have reported 116 new cases of COVID-19 and 22 virus-related deaths, bringing the nation’s overall tally to 20,030.

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COVID measures ‘can’t last forever’

The Bahamas “cannot continue to live under restrictive COVID-19 measures” if it wants its tourism industry and wider economy to fully rebound from the pandemic, a businessman said yesterday.

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Two more COVID deaths confirmed

THE Ministry of Health recorded 105 new COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths on Tuesday.

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Officials claim COVID cases now in decline

AHEAD of tomorrow’s general election, the Ministry of Health said yesterday there has been a “notable decrease” in newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, which it expects to be followed by a decline in the hospitalisation rate.

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Four more COVID deaths

FOUR more COVID-19 deaths have been added to the nation’s tally, bringing the figure to 467.

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Nine more confirmed virus deaths

NINE additional deaths have been added to the nation’s COVID-19 death toll, pushing the overall figure to 463.In its September 11 dashboard, the Ministry of Health said 75 more cases had been recorded as well as the nine additional deaths.

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'Potential for further COVID spread' if quarantined vote at the polls

THE country’s top infectious disease expert has warned that there could be further COVID-19 spread if people in quarantine are allowed to vote at the polls in next week’s general election.

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DELTA VARIANT NOW AT LARGE: Health officials confirm feared version of virus has been detected here

THE highly contagious Delta variant is the predominant strain in The Bahamas, the Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday, after getting back genomic sequencing results from samples sent to a laboratory in Brazil.

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‘Tell emergency staff if you think you have COVID’

THE National Emergency Medical Services is appealing to members of the public reporting a medical emergency through 919 to identify wherever possible the likelihood that they may be COVID positive.

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Seven new deaths confirmed

THE country’s COVID- 19 death toll has increased by seven after deaths that were previously under investigation were reclassified as coronavirus related.

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COVID death toll jumps by 27

THE Ministry of Health reported 27 additional COVID-19 related deaths over the weekend, bringing the number of people who have died from the virus in the country to 439.

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Doctors condemn weekend’s rallies

AFTER a weekend filled with political rallies, motorcades and other campaign events, the Medical Association of The Bahamas is expressing “grave concern” that those activities might turn out to be “super spreaders”.

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118 additional COVID-19 cases

THE Ministry of Health reported 118 additional cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the nation’s coronavirus total since the start of the pandemic to 18,694.

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Two more deaths bring total to 408

THE Ministry of Health reported 125 new COVID-19 cases and two virus related deaths yesterday, pushing the nation’s overall coronavirus tally to 18,460.

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25 more deaths as surge powers on

THE country’s top infectious diseases expert has warned The Bahamas needs “to get a handle” on a worsening COVID-19 situation, as officials confirmed 25 new COVID-19 deaths and 196 new cases over the past two days.

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Death toll soars by 27 as Grand Bahama cases confirmed

MORE than 3,200 COVID-19 cases were recorded in August as a surge in new infections continues to plague the country.

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Doctors concerned nomination day may have spread virus

THE president of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association has highlighted concerns surrounding Friday’s nomination day fanfare, saying it could contribute to the spread of COVID-19 while the country’s health system is in a precarious state.

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COVID death toll rises by 38

THE number of fatalities from COVID-19 has risen to 381 - an increase of 38 according to data released by officials over the weekend.

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11 more COVID deaths, 223 new cases reported

THE Ministry of Health has reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths and 223 new cases.

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People waking up to COVID danger

A LOCAL religious leader on Abaco is urging Bahamians to take COVID-19 seriously after claiming to have lost over a dozen friends and other community members to the virus in the last two weeks.

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Travelling abroad? Check all travel requirements

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged travellers to check all entry and transit requirements before international travel due to changing restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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159 new cases confirmed

THE Ministry of Health reported 159 additional COVID-19 cases yesterday.

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Eight COVID-19 deaths confirmed

DEATHS from COVID- 19 increased by eight over the weekend, pushing the nation’s toll to 338 since the start of the pandemic.

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Schools to reopen but not face-to-face

JUST days ahead of the start of the new school year, the Ministry of Education has announced that all public schools will open with a virtual learning format due to the current resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country.

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14 more COVID-19 deaths confirmed

FOURTEEN additional people have been added to the nation’s COVID-19 death toll, according to data released by the Ministry of Health yesterday.

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Family Island doctor dies from COVID-19

NOTED Family Island physician Dr Charles Edward Wildgoose III lost a short battle to COVID-19 on Sunday, leaving behind a wife and two children.

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131 new COVID-19 cases, one more related death

THE Ministry of Health recorded 131 new COVID-19 cases and one more related death on Thursday.

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Education officials still in talks over school reopening

THE Ministry of Education is still in discussions with health officials to determine the appropriate model of instruction when school reopens amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and fears of the highly contagious Delta variant.

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WHO OWNS FIRMS GIVEN GOVT COVID CONTRACTS? – Auditor General reveals his request for beneficial owners list still pending

The Government has failed to meet the Auditor General’s demand to provide ownership details on all the companies awarded COVID-related contracts despite this being deemed “pivotal” to good governance.

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US Embassy quiet on numbers of construction site cases

WHILE construction at the US Embassy’s new site resumed last week after suspected COVID-19 cases were reported, officials have declined to reveal the number of virus-related incidents tied to the ongoing project.

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Clinical nurse has reportedly died from COVID

ANOTHER healthcare professional has reportedly died from COVID-19 while working on the frontline at Princess Margaret Hospital.

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COVID like ‘bad nightmare that won’t go away’

Bahamian businesses were last night bracing for the imposition of additional restrictions to combat “out of control” COVID-19 infection rates, with one saying: “It cannot be business as usual.”

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Doctors’ fears mount as COVID cases soar

THE Consultant Physicians Staff Association has again expressed concern over the continued increase in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed the nation’s healthcare system.

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228 new cases of COVID-19

TWO-hundred and twenty-eight new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Thursday, historically the highest number of cases recorded in The Bahamas in one day.

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Church of God says it followed guidelines

THE Church of God claimed yesterday that it is following the guidelines the Bahamas Christian Council has recommended and that the Ministry of Health has approved following reports that several people who attended a recent youth convention contracted COVID-19 and died.

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Five more deaths and 334 confirmed cases since Friday

THE Bahamas recorded 334 new COVID-19 cases since Friday along with five new deaths.

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Vaccinated visitors now have to take five-day test

INFECTIOUS disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes says changes to travel requirements revealed Monday by the Office of the Prime Minister are consistent with data about how COVID-19 variants are affecting the ability of vaccinated people to transmit the virus.

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132 new cases of COVID-19

THE latest Ministry of Health COVID-19 Dashboard has recorded 132 new infections in The Bahamas with 94 of them being in New Providence.

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COVID hits passport office

FOLLOWING a COVID-19 outbreak at the Passport Office, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said officials are now looking at alternative sites to facilitate the collection of passports.

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‘Focus on COVID fight’

A SENIOR doctor believes the country should be devoting all of its resources to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as cases rise and hospital resources remain critical.

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17 new deaths announced as COVID surge continues, 100 new cases on Saturday

THE Bahamas recorded 401 COVID-19 cases from July 11 to July 17, including 100 cases on Saturday alone, the highest number of cases recorded in a day since last October.

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17 new COVID related deaths reported

MINISTRY of Health officials have reported 17 new COVID-19 related deaths including several cases that were previously under investigation and are now reclassified.

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Two more COVID-19 deaths confirmed

THE country’s COVID-19 death roll has risen to 256 after two new deaths were confirmed.

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Employer liable to pay COVID test fees

The National Tripartite Council’s vice-chairman yesterday warned “a lot of employers are going to be very upset” to find they cannot mandate non-vaccinated staff pay for their own weekly COVID-19 tests.

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COVID claims life of five-month-old girl

COVID-19 related deaths have climbed by two to 254, with officials reporting that the country’s youngest victim is a five-month-old girl who died from the virus on June 26.

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PCR tests needed for Bimini are not available

BIMINI residents are bashing the competent authority’s decision to require PCR tests for travel to and from their island because the tests are not available there.

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New Providence man is latest COVID victim

A 43-YEAR-OLD New Providence man has become the country’s latest victim of COVID-19.

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Four more women die from COVID

HEALTH officials have reported four new deaths from COVID-19.

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Crystal cancels Bimini call over COVID spike

Crystal Cruises yesterday cancelled its July 4 inaugural home porting call to Bimini out of “an abundance of caution” as the government imposed a series of restrictions to contain the latest COVID case spike.

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Curfew is reimposed on Bimini

A 7pm to 5am curfew has been implemented for North and South Bimini in response to a COVID-19 outbreak on that island.

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PAHO cautions over travel amid virus third wave

AS The Bahamas enjoys increasing tourist numbers, officials at the Pan American Health Organization have warned that now may not be the time for travel as most countries are experiencing a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Bimini residents told to be on alert after COVID spike

BIMINI officials are urging residents to keep their guard up as the island grapples with yet another spike in COVID-19 cases.

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46 more people with COVID diagnosed over weekend

THE Bahamas recorded 46 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases over the weekend, pushing the nation’s overall tally to 12,543.

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Bahamas not on UK list

THE United Kingdom is poised to add 16 countries to its “green list” – though not The Bahamas – as it expands its list of countries to where travel is safe.

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40-year-old woman latest COVID victim

A 40-year-old New Providence woman died from COVID-19 on June 23, pushing the nation’s death toll to 245, according to the Ministry of Health.

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Cur-phew: PM eases back

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday relaxed a number of COVID-19 restrictions for New Providence, Grand Bahama and several Family Islands, including new curfew hours and a variety of additional benefits for fully vaccinated people.

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WE MUST KEEP OUR GUARD UP: Forbes warns despite reduced cases third COVID wave still here

DESPITE a “slight decline” in coronavirus cases recently, health officials believe it is still “a little too early” to say whether the nation is emerging from the third wave of the virus.

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COVID-19 death toll rises to 239

THE COVID-19 death count has risen to 239 after two more deaths were recorded.

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Cat Island man dies from COVID-19

A 59-YEAR-OLD Cat Island man became the country’s latest COVID-19 victim after he died from the disease on June 10. His death pushed the nation’s toll to 237.

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COVID rule fines bring in $1m

VIOLATORS of COVID-19 rules have paid the government $1,020,550 in fines, according to National Security Minister Marvin Dames.

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Two more virus deaths

TWO more people have died from COVID-19, pushing the nation’s death count to 234.

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South Andros and Berry Islands curfew moved

THE daily curfew for South Andros and the Berry Islands has been moved from 10pm to 5am, in accordance with an amended Emergency Powers Order.

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Cat Islanders unhappy with ‘extra’ lockdown

SOME Cat Island residents are up in arms about the extension to the current COVID-19 lockdown for their community, saying it is unnecessarily excessive.

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Seven-day extension in islands’ lockdown

LOCKDOWNS for North and Central Andros and Cat Island have been extended for an additional seven days, the Office of the Prime Minister announced yesterday.

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North Andros, Central Andros, Cat Island under lockdown for seven more days

NORTH Andros, Central Andros and Cat Island will remain under lockdown for an additional seven days, the Office of the Prime Minister announced on Sunday.

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Bullocks Harbour and Great Harbour Cay lockdown extended to Monday, June 7

BULLOCKS Harbour and Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands were placed under lockdown for an additional two days, the Office of the Prime Minister said on Thursday.

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37 new COVID cases, two more deaths

THE Ministry of Health recorded 37 new cases and two more virus-related deaths on Wednesday, pushing the nation’s overall tally to 11,930.

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‘Several’ airlifts of COVID patients from Andros

SEVERAL people have been airlifted from Andros to New Providence with COVID-19 in the last week, The Tribune understands.

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61 new cases of COVID-19

THE Ministry of Health recorded 61 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

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Three new deaths confirmed

THE country recorded 62 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday and three new deaths.

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$290m spent to respond to COVID

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government has spent about $290m in direct spending to respond to challenges people and businesses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, a figure that amounts to 2.5 percent of the country’s GDP.

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‘Up to 90%’ of BPL staff in Cat Island test positive

THE president of Bahamas Electrical Workers Union has confirmed that up to 90 percent of Bahamas Power and Light staff on Cat Island have tested positive for COVID-19.

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COVID’s lockdown drove 10% Nassau energy usage drop

New Providence’s energy demand decreased by just ten percent at the height of the first COVID-19 economic lockdown in April last year, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report has revealed.

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Two more deaths and 129 cases confirmed over weekend

THE Bahamas recorded 129 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the weekend and two new deaths.

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Residents blame test ‘blunder’ for surge

THE positivity rate of COVID-19 on Cat Island is staggeringly high and residents there say a government mishap with test results is proving to be a costly mistake, one that setting the local economy back just as things were starting to improve.

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Bullocks Harbour and Great Harbour Cay placed under two-week lockdown

Negative PCR test required for travel to and from Andros and Cat Island

Bullocks Harbour and Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands will be placed under a 14-day lockdown effective Saturday 22 May 2021 at 8pm in order to slow and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus in those communities.

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New rules for cook-outs and indoor cinemas

AN amendment to the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic Order) issued last night allows for cook-outs, steak-outs or souse-outs to be held once the sale of food is conducted by drive-through or takeaway.

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75 new cases of COVID-19, one death

THE Ministry of Health recorded 75 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and one additional death.

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Berry Islands mother lost fight against COVID-19

WHILE families were celebrating on Mother’s Day, Marissa Roberts, a mother of an adopted child, lost her life.

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6 MORE MONTHS: Emergency laws extended due to low vaccine uptake and threat from variants

GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith has declared another state of emergency for the country, citing low vaccination numbers and the third wave of COVID-19 cases in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

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49 new COVID cases, death toll rises to 217

THE Ministry of Health recorded 49 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday while the nation’s coronavirus death toll rose by one to 217.

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Plan for fewer students on campus during exams

PUBLIC school officials are planning to manage school sites so they have fewer students on campus during national exams to mitigate against COVID-19 exposure, Director of Education Marcellus Taylor said.

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COVID-19 death toll rises to 215

ANOTHER COVID-19 death has been reported, bringing the nation’s toll to 215.

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Nurses: End state of emergency

THE Bahamas Nurses Union has suggested the government put an end to the state of emergency, which is set to expire on May 23, saying The Bahamas must learn to coexist with the COVID virus.

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COVID death toll rises to 212

THE Ministry of Health has reported another COVID-19 death, which pushed the death toll to 212.

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Doctors chief: We can’t sit and do nothing

WITH COVID-19 cases and deaths growing, the president of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association says modified restrictive measures may work, but “sitting around doing nothing is irresponsible”.

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COVID death toll increases by 10

TEN new COVID-19 deaths were reported over the weekend, taking the number of virus-related fatalities to 209.

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FRONT PORCH: COVID conspiracies, confusion and contradictions

A friend in her early 70s is exhausted by COVID-19. No, she has not experienced the physical debilitation or devastation of the disease as have many Bahamians and many millions globally.

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Meeting called after COVID cases in schools

A MEETING was called yesterday at the Ministry of Education after a series of private schools reported cases of COVID-19.

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Physicians: There has not been consultation

THE Consultant Physicians Staff Association has again raised concern over the lack of consultation between healthcare workers and the government on the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mass parties show guard is slipping

A LOCAL infectious diseases expert is again urging Bahamians to not let their guards down and become relaxed with current health protocols, insisting that the country’s fight with the novel coronavirus is far from over.

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Senior doctor concerned over new variant discoveries

THE detection of new and more infectious COVID-19 variant strains in the country could lead to “serious implications” that could potentially impact the national vaccination campaign, a senior physician warned yesterday.

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COVID relief ‘saving grace’ for franchise’s new store expansion

A Bahamian cheesesteak franchise yesterday said COVID-related financial assistance from the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) was “the saving grace” for its second store expansion.

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Lockdowns ‘not an option’ to halt COVID-19 surge

The Marina Association of The Bahamas (MAB) president yesterday said reimposing lockdowns to control the latest spike in COVID-19 cases is “not an option” for the tourism industry and wider economy.

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‘DON’T GO THERE’: U.S. puts Bahamas back on top level alert as cases rise

THE US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has told Americans to avoid travel to The Bahamas, citing a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

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Over 270lb? Evacuation pods won’t carry you

A TOP government health official said the pods used to evacuate suspected COVID-19 patients from Family Islands can only carry people who weigh 270 lbs or less.

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Confusion over Eleuthera emergency orders

MANY residents left Eleuthera yesterday without having to show proof that they had a negative COVID-19 PCR test result despite last week’s change to the COVID-19 Emergency Order making this a requirement for travel.

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Concern mounts on possible third wave

THE nation recorded 92 new COVID-19 infections over the holiday weekend — bringing the total number of cases to 9,263.

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Concerns over new travel policy for Eleuthera

WHAT was supposed to be a fun getaway to Eleuthera for the Easter holiday weekend is now full of uncertainty for Dianna Malone, who fears she might not be able to return home as planned due to a new travel policy implemented for that island.

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Another two COVID deaths and 70 new cases confirmed

COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 8,909 after 70 new cases and two more virus-related deaths were recorded between Friday and Saturday, with Grand Bahama accounting for most new infections.

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Funeral and wedding restrictions relaxed

THE government has relaxed restrictions on weddings and funerals, allowing a maximum of 40 people at graveside services and marriage ceremonies in churches on islands where this was prohibited.

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‘Why are wedding restrictions still not relaxed’

ORGANISERS of the annual Bahamas Bridal Show are upset that COVID-19 restrictions on the wedding industry have not been relaxed, saying they have got no answers from the competent authority on the matter.

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COVID-19 measures mean longer wait at US embassy

BAHAMIAN citizens and residents applying for visa appointments at the United States Embassy in Nassau will have to wait longer than usual to get an appointment as a result of new requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced yesterday.

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Students and teacher sent home to isolate

SEVERAL students and a teacher at a private Catholic institution on Grand Bahama were sent home this week to isolate after it was discovered a classmate had tested positive for COVID-19, The Tribune has learned.

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Two more victims of COVID

THE nation’s COVID-19 death toll has risen to 185 after two more deaths were recorded.

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32 new cases and one more death confirmed

THIRTY-TWO new COVID-19 cases and one more virus-related death were recorded in the country between Friday and Saturday, pushing the nation’s tally to 8,551 with 980 of those cases still active.

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Tighter restrictions on Abaco 'a painful blow'

AN Abaco administrator said impending tighter restrictions for the island will be a “painful blow” for those trying to “resurrect” their business activities after Hurricane Dorian.

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12 new COVID-19 cases

THE Ministry of Health recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

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11 NEW CASES OF COVID CONFIRMED

THE Ministry of Health reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

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Cat Cay Yacht Club in ‘self-imposed lockdown’

CAT Cay Yacht Club’s manager says the community is in “self-imposed lockdown” after a spike of COVID-19 cases emerged last week.

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16 test positive at workplace in Cat Cay

SIXTEEN people tested positive for COVID-19 after the Ministry of Health conducted a mass testing exercise at a workplace in Cat Cay last week.

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Rules tabled for COVID compensation

PEOPLE who allegedly suffer loss or injury after taking COVID-19 vaccines will have one year to send their claim for compensation to a specially created, five-member tribunal that will assess their case, according to new rules tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday.

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Chinese businesses hard hit by pandemic

THE Chinese Community Association of The Bahamas said some members reported up to a 50 percent reduction in business amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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52 samples sent to be tested for new strains

HEALTH officials are still waiting to receive the test results of 52 positive COVID-19 samples which were sent abroad to determine if any of the new coronavirus strains are present in The Bahamas.

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Ban on Haiti travel

GOVERNMENT has banned all commercial flights and vessels from Haiti beginning today in a move, officials said, was done as a precautionary measure to prevent the risk of imported coronavirus cases from Haiti now that the country has entered its Carnival season.

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Nine new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday

NINE new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Health.

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COVID-19 death toll rises to 176

THE country’s COVID-19 death toll has risen to 176 after a 94-year-old woman died from the disease in late January.

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‘Pandemic has created a mental health crisis’

PAHO officials said the coronavirus pandemic has created a mental health crisis in the region.

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Charter boat crew among 21 new cases of COVID-19

TWENTY-ONE cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Tuesday, including 11 crew members on a charter boat operating off New Providence.

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13 new cases of COVID-19

THE Ministry of Health has reported 13 new cases of COVID-19.

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Bahamas ‘has tamed COVID-19 pandemic’

THE Bahamas is one of just 27 countries that have tamed the COVID-19 pandemic, according to over 4,000 scientists and community organisers worldwide.

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More COVID restrictions relaxed

RELAXED restrictions related to pharmacies, gas stations, laundromats, funeral services, weddings and outdoor dining came into effect last night, the Office of the Prime Minister announced in a statement.

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‘Retaining curfew is fine by me’

SUPER Value CEO Rupert Roberts says he feels much safer with the COVID-19 curfew in place and believes last year’s drop in crime is due to coronavirus restrictions.

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PLP calls for virus testing plan

THE Progressive Liberal Party’s COVID-19 task force urged government to release a structured plan that allows for more virus testing throughout the country.

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U.S. trips will need negative COVID test

THE US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday it will require all air passengers entering the United States to have a negative COVID-19 test as cases surge in America and a more infectious coronavirus strain spreads around the world.

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‘Quarantine for visitors may now be necessary’

IN view of the number of travellers not complying with the rapid antigen test requirements, a senior physician suggested the country should revisit “some measure of quarantine” until officials can put in place better strategies.

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PLP: Govt must act now before it is too late

THE Progressive Liberal Party is calling for the government to be more proactive in its COVID-19 response, saying a feasible action plan is needed to safeguard the country against a new, more contagious COVID-19 strain that’s already spreading worldwide.

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Doctors call for vaccine timetable

CONSULTANT physicians are hoping officials will soon release a timeline regarding when a COVID-19 vaccine will be available for administration in the country.

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Doctor warns of possible need to tighten travel

A SENIOR physician has said the government might have to toughen COVID-19 travel restrictions if The Bahamas sees a surge of infections as a result of the recent holiday celebrations coupled with a new COVID-19 strain already spreading in some parts of the world.

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No child to be vaccinated without parents’ consent

THE Ministry of Health has clarified that no one under the age of 18 years of age will be administered a COVID-19 vaccine until the World Health Organisation and scientific evidence say it is safe to do so and with the consent of parents.

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Four deaths in Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama has recorded four more COVID-19-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

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‘Highly likely’ new strain will reach The Bahamas

A local infectious disease expert believes it is “highly likely” the new variant of COVID-19 already detected in some 33 countries will reach Bahamian shores.

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Bahamian single women take brunt of COVID-19

Bahamian single women have born the brunt of COVID-19's economic devastation to lead the Caribbean on both job losses and "worsening diet", the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has revealed.

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Five new COVID-19 deaths

THE Bahamas confirmed five new COVID-19 deaths yesterday.

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16 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday

SIXTEEN COVID-19 cases were recorded on Tuesday.

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‘We must clear up misinformation about COVID-19’

HEALTH officials have to clear up public “misconceptions and misinformation” about COVID-19 and associated vaccines as the government prepares to have the drug in The Bahamas “as soon as possible”, a top doctor said yesterday.

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22 COVID cases between Wednesday and Thursday

THE country recorded 22 COVID-19 cases between Wednesday and Thursday.

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Has COVID-19 caused death rate increase?

ALTHOUGH the country has not recorded daily COVID-19 deaths for several weeks, some funeral homes say they are still seeing a major uptick in overall deaths which they are attributing to an overburdened health care system.

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Emergency orders to be eased on Eleuthera

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced that COVID-19 restrictions on Eleuthera have been relaxed with immediate effect.

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‘Risk we are opening our doors to a third wave’

WITH major resorts set to open by mid-December, consultant physicians are concerned the country could be on the brink of a third COVID-19 wave.

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14 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday

THE Ministry of Health recorded 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, continuing a trend in declining numbers.

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Resorts voice fears on COVID ‘seeds of doubt’

A HARBOUR Island hotelier is hoping that the “seeds of doubt” sown by COVID-19 lockdowns and other restrictions will evaporate once the Government “lands” on a more consistent approach.

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Retailers: Look after economy and we have no issues with proclamation

RETAILERS say they have no issues with the new proclamation of emergency as long as Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis looks out for the best interests of business owners.

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Baldness link to severe symptoms from COVID

BALD men may be at higher risk of suffering from severe COVID-19 symptoms, emerging evidence suggests.

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Emergency rule renewed - PLP says ‘we won’t back it’

GOVERNOR General C A Smith issued a new proclamation of emergency last night, his third since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

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Contradictory advice in U.S. over travel to The Bahamas

Confusion over what countries are safe to visit during the COVID crisis has been laid bare by contradictory advice by the US to its citizens on travel to The Bahamas.

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Numbers down - but we must stay alert

AMID a decline of positive COVID-19 cases in the country, a local infectious disease expert said it appears The Bahamas has flattened the curve in the second COVID-19 wave, but warned residents must still not let their guards down as “things can still change”.

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‘Extending powers is right’

SUPER Value owner Rupert Roberts yesterday voiced his support for the government’s intention to extend the country’s Emergency Powers Orders to December 28.

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Another seven families grieve

HEALTH officials yesterday added seven deaths to the tally of overall COVID-19 deaths in the country, bringing the total to 163.

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Four test positive for COVID five days after arrival

FOUR people who travelled to The Bahamas during the country’s first week of re-opening tested positive for COVID-19 five days after arrival, health officials revealed on Friday.

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Aviation stunned by 'flip-flop' over domestic travel

Bahamian aviation operators were left stunned last night by the Government's 48-hour "flip-flop" in re-imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all domestic inter-island travel from New Providence.

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Eleuthera residents unhappy - but officials say measures necessary

WHILE Eleuthera residents are up in arms about newly imposed COVID-19 restrictions, officials on the island are satisfied the right measures have been taken.

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'We can wage COVID war without lockdowns'

Eleuthera's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday told the Prime Minister "we can wage war against COVID without going to the extreme" of lockdowns, adding: "Every visitor counts."

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Make COVID-19 ease 'permanent', PM urged

The Prime Minister was last night urged to make his latest COVID-19 relaxation "permanent" after he gave retailers on the brink of closure a last-minute reprieve that may enable their survival.

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Eleuthera pays the price for ignoring rules

WHILE New Providence and Abaco have reduced the number of new cases, the island of Eleuthera has not had the same success, sparking more strict measures for the mainland, where 117 cases have been recorded.

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‘We must not let our guard down’: Expert warns fall-off in numbers doesn't signal COVID crisis is over

A LOCAL infectious disease expert is urging residents not to become relaxed about the apparent downward trend of COVID-19 cases, explaining other factors might be contributing to those lower numbers.

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Retailers to hit 'point of no return' this week

The Bahamas Federation of Retailers (BFR) yesterday revealed multiple members will reach "the point of no return" and close permanently as early as this week unless curb-side restrictions are lifted.

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Eleuthera bracing for lockdown

AS health officials conduct more COVID-19 testing on Eleuthera, some residents say they have already started preparing for a possible lockdown should the government take that course of action.

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Chamber war on COVID advocacy

A furious internal row has erupted at the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce over a major retailer's complaint that it is doing to little to address private sector concerns over COVID-19 restrictions.

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37 new COVID-19 cases, four more related deaths on Thursday

THIRTY-SEVEN new COVID-19 cases and four more related deaths were recorded on Thursday, pushing the nation’s coronavirus tally to 6,644.

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Concern rising for residents of Spanish Wells

TWO Progressive Liberal Party senators are calling on the government to act urgently to protect the health and well-being of the residents of Spanish Wells amid rising COVID-19 cases.

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‘Shut us down to ensure safety’

A Central Eleuthera official says a lockdown is necessary at this time due to rising COVID-19 numbers and increasing quarantine cases.

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Grocers implore PM to end weekend lockdown

THE Retail Grocers Association has called for the end to the weekend lockdowns along with the 7pm curfew, insisting the measures have left businesses teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

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36 new cases and four deaths

THIRTY-SIX additional COVID-19 cases were recorded yesterday along with four more deaths.

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331 new cases since Thursday

FIFTY-SIX COVID-19 cases were announced on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Health, bringing the amount of cases recorded between Thursday and yesterday to 331.

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128 COVID-19 cases, three more deaths on Tuesday

ONE hundred and twenty-eight additional COVID-19 cases were reported on Tuesday along with three more deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

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On-off lockdown - is it worth it? Senior health official suggests weekend closures may do little

WITH nearly 300 COVID-19 cases recorded over the last several days, a local infectious diseases expert has suggested partial lockdowns have not been an effective tool in stopping the spread of the deadly virus in The Bahamas.

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70 new COVID-19 cases, one additional death on Sunday

SEVENTY new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Sunday along with one additional death.

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Six deaths added to COVID toll

ONE hundred and eighty-six cases of COVID-19 and eight more related deaths were recorded between Friday and Saturday, pushing the country’s coronavirus tally to 5,703.

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243 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths reported on Thursday and Friday

The Ministry of Health reported that there was a total of 243 new COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths on Thursday and Friday.

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Bahamians overseas seeking financial help

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bahamians are increasingly approaching Bahamas embassies and consulates overseas requesting financial assistance for COVID-19 testing, quarantine, accommodation and airline ticket changes.

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Three deaths, 194 new cases on Wednesday

THE Ministry of Health said there were 194 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed yesterday and three confirmed deaths from the virus.

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'Critical' moment in fight

THE Bahamas has not yet turned the corner in its fight against COVID-19, a senior physician yesterday insisted, adding that at this “critical” juncture the nation’s plan needs reworking.

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‘Curbside only is killing us’

A MANAGER of a local clothing store said curbside restrictions are “killing” the retail sector.

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COVID-19 figures pass 5,000 over the weekend

OFFICIAL COVID-19 figures surged to 5,163 over the holiday weekend, with New Providence leading the way with some 3,937 cases.

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68 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday

The Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that there were 68 new cases of COVID-19 and 91 additional recovered cases.

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Pharmacies will be COVID 'hot spots', Gov't now warned

Pharmacists yesterday warned the Government that forcing them to offer curb-side services only could transform patient queues into "COVID-19 hot spots".

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'You can't turn tourism on and off like the tap'

A major hotelier yesterday voiced concern over the "mixed message" sent by the latest COVID-19 restrictions for November 1's re-opening, arguing: "You can't turn tourism on and off like a tap."

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Lockdown ‘devastating’ for Abaco

ABACO residents yesterday blasted the government’s decision to reimpose a weekend lockdown for the island due to high COVID-19 cases there, saying the new restrictions will be “devastating” for the economy and rebuilding efforts.

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Testing plan to escape COVID 'sledgehammer'

A non-profit coalition yesterday unveiled an "end-to-end" workplace testing and management solution in a bid to help The Bahamas to escape the "sledgehammer approach" of COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Lockdown 'death sentence' fears

The Government was yesterday warned that it will hand "a death sentence to an economy already teetering on the edge" if it reimposes a full New Providence lockdown to curb COVID-19's spread.

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Three insurers tasked on COVID visitor coverage

The government is seeking to implement by November 1 a COVID-19 travel insurance scheme to cover the treatment/evacuation costs for any visitor who falls sick in The Bahamas.

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550 cases in a week

THE Bahamas recorded more than 550 confirmed COVID-19 cases last week, with health data suggesting that the number of cases could continue to increase for the country in the days ahead.

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COVID-19: No flattening of the curve for New Providence

CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan revealed Friday that health officials have not yet seen a flattening of the curve for New Providence, with data suggesting the number of COVID-19 cases could continue to increase for the island in the days ahead.

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Rapid tests to replace quarantine from Nov 1

TOURISTS and returning residents will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in The Bahamas and again four days later as part of new rules that will take effect on November 1 and eliminate the need for travellers to quarantine.

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THOUSANDS MAY HAVE CAUGHT VIRUS: Leading medical centres estimate infection rate is much higher than stated

THE true number of COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas is scores higher than the confirmed tally, according to three international research groups that have created separate epidemiological models of the virus.

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Indoor dining permitted on all islands except New Providence, Abaco, Paradise Island

THE latest Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) Order permits indoor dining to take place on all islands except New Providence, Abaco and Paradise Island.

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'Plan ahead for vaccine'

COUNTRIES should not wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to be developed before they start planning and preparing for its arrival, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) director, Carissa F Etienne said this week.

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COVID protocols affecting decisions over voter register

AS historical voter trends have seen around 100,000 people register for voting in the past four months before the register closes, constituting a new voter’s register does not fall in line with COVID-19 protocols, according to Parliamentary Commissioner Philip Turner.

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101 new COVID-19 cases, one additional death, one death under investigation

The Ministry of Health reported that there were 101 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19, one additional death and one death under investigation on Saturday.

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PAHO: Vaccine not around the corner

THE Pan American Health Organisation has raised alarm about countries in the region returning to “near normal” social and public life, despite the fact a COVID-19 vaccine “is not around the corner”.

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Family Islands 'can't survive' with COVID travel requirements

Exuma's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday warned that Family Island economies "cannot survive" if inter-island air travel remains almost shutdown due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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INSIGHT: When a vaccine arrives we have to ensure it is available to all

FOR anyone who still resisted the idea we may be in a tough stretch for the remainder of this year, next year and potentially beyond, hopefully you heard Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar’s thoughts on when we would return to pre-COVID tourism success. His response, though indecisive, was much more measured than the last time he offered his thoughts.

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54 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday

The Ministry of Health reported that there were 54 additional COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

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Suspected COVID case at school

THE Ministry of Education is investigating a suspected case of COVID-19 at Columbus Primary School.

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Doctor criticises lack of COVID treatment at Rand

A well-known private physician in Freeport has criticised the lack of treatment for COVID patients hospitalised at the Rand.

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COVID-19 putting an extra burden on Abaco

THE increasing number of COVID-19 cases on Abaco has placed a significant strain on healthcare workers on the island who are simultaneously managing the coronavirus fight and the public healthcare system in the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation.

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30 new cases of COVID-19, one additional death reported on Saturday

The Ministry of Health reported that there were 30 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one additional death on Saturday.

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Lockdown spike in family abuse: Jump in domestic attacks as isolation takes toll at home

THE shocking effects of COVID-19 on Bahamians has been laid bare in a report that revealed an 11.3 percent increase in domestic violence - as well as the difficult financial situation many households are in.

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Shortages delaying more tests

A GLOBAL shortage of COVID-19 testing reagents has limited health officials’ capacity to conduct wider testing in the country, Health Minister Renward Wells said yesterday.

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Expert suggests AC units can play role in COVID spread

AN infectious disease expert has suggested that air conditioning may be playing a role in the spread of COVID-19, but says ultraviolet light may be a viable source of sterilising areas where the virus is present.

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Treasury revenues slumped 55% in year's final quarter

THE COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a 55.2 percent contraction in receipts across taxed industries, according to the Ministry of Finance’s budgetary performance report for the fourth quarter of the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

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78 new COVID-19 cases reported on Saturday

The Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that there were 78 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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ZERO TOLERANCE: Senior doctors alarmed over death toll demand rigid use of COVID rules

CONSULTANT physicians are disheartened by the alarming number of patient deaths related to COVID-19, sparked by an exponential increase in cases since the country re-opened its borders.

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OBESITY LINK TO COVID FATALITIES: Shock study reveals ‘scary’ risk to people with weight problems

A new international study has revealed that obesity increases the risk of COVID-19 deaths by nearly 50 percent.

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Essential businesses see trade down by half

Business has fallen by 50 percent and is beginning to slow down even more at essential services businesses during the COVID-19 lockdown.

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Restrictions eased on Family Islands and Grand Bahama

THE Office of the Prime Minister announced the ease of lockdown restrictions for Grand Bahama and several Family Islands yesterday, allowing the resumption of indoor church services, curbside business activity and outdoor dining. These islands can a

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INSIGHT: Patience runs out as GB businesses demand to be heard

Nearly 200 frustrated Grand Bahama business owners stand ready to protest from today if their pleas to reopen their businesses continue to be ignored by officials at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport.

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Another six added to virus death toll

THE Ministry of Health confirmed that six more people have died from COVID-19 as the country recorded an additional 155 new cases of the virus, according to dashboard information for Friday and Saturday.

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Grand Bahama lockdown extended

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the extension of Grand Bahama’s lockdown for seven days.

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Andros residents now fear there could be more cases

ANDROS residents say they fear there could be more COVID-19 cases in the community after a local tested positive for the virus last week, becoming the island’s first COVID case.

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Lockdown and curfew lifted for Spanish Wells

The Office of the Prime Minister has announced that, based on the advice of health officials, Spanish Wells may resume normal commercial and social activity, effective immediately.

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UPDATED: 30 new cases of COVID-19, two deaths reported on Friday

COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas have now risen to 1,119.

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COVID TAKES HIGH TOLL ON MARRIAGE: Lawyers report surge in couples looking to divorce after lockdown

PROMINENT attorneys yesterday revealed “a tremendous increase” in divorce cases coming before them following the end of the first COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

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COVID-19: Ministry of Health headquarters closed

The Ministry of Health headquarters is closed this afternoon after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

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Experts confirm border move to blame for surge

A PAN American Health Organisation official has attributed the alarming number of COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas to the opening of borders allowing non-essential travel and citizens visiting destinations where the virus has skyrocketed.

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Pharmacies push govt for easing of patient pains

Pharmacies yesterday urged the government to permit five days per week opening and to better define what “curbside service” means for the industry during the present COVID-19 lockdown.

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Officials probe three COVID deaths

HEALTH officials are investigating three potential COVID-19 deaths as the country recorded 69 confirmed cases of the virus on Friday, a new single-day record.

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Lockdown 'seesaw' simply unsustainable

Eleuthera’s Chamber of Commerce president has warned the economy “cannot live on the lockdown seesaw for ever”, with The Bahamas now facing a “salvage” as opposed to recovery operation. Thomas Sands, in e-mailed replies to Tribune Business questions

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23 PATIENTS GET VIRUS ON WARD: Single Sandilands employee passes on COVID as health officials deny PPE shortage

THE Public Hospitals Authority confirmed yesterday that 23 people have tested positive for COVID-19 on the male ward of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

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23 test positive for COVID-19 at Sandilands

TWENTY-THREE people at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre have tested positive for COVID-19.

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Several customs officers in Abaco placed under quarantine

SEVERAL customs officers in Abaco have been placed under quarantine after a worker was exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient on the island, prompting officials there to close the Customs Department at the Leonard M Thompson International Airport on Thursday.

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FINAL NAIL IN RETAIL COFFIN: Retail Association warns lockdown may be last straw for many traders

Bahamian retailers yesterday warned that the latest COVID-19 lockdown will be "the nail in the coffin" for multiple companies and jobs in a sector that employs more than 22,000 persons.

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Salons fear they will not survive second lockdown

AFTER the initial COVID-19 lockdown forced them to close for three months earlier this year, some salon and barbershop owners fear they won’t be able to survive this new restrictive period.

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Why close down islands with no recorded cases?

FAMILY Island restauranteurs like Dwight Hart are frustrated with the one-size-fits-all COVID-19 restrictions that will force him to shutter his business for two weeks even though Exuma only has three confirmed cases of the virus.

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SPEEDING UP: Record 65 new cases forces a double lockdown

THE Office of the Prime Minister announced that a lockdown will be implemented during the next two weekends as the country recorded a record 65 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

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100 officers quarantined as case count rises by 40

MORE than 100 police officers are in quarantine because of COVID-19 as the number of overall cases in the country jumped by 40 yesterday, including 21 in Grand Bahama, 16 in New Providence, two in Exuma and one in Cat Island.

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Real estate sales in 'shocking' 92% drop

Real estate industry data has revealed that Bahamian property sales volumes crashed by “a shocking” 92 percent year-over-year at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Timothy Smith, of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Group Bahamas, told Trib

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What about my wedding day? Bride’s anger at calling off her big day when PM gave other ceremonies go-ahead

A bride-to-be is upset that she cancelled her wedding to comply with COVID-19 rules only to learn that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis exempted two couples from regulations limiting the number of wedding attendees to five.

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Weekend lockdown to begin tonight at 10pm

A WEEKEND lockdown will take place across the country beginning Friday night at 10pm because of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, the Office of the Prime Minister announced in a statement.

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Bahamians face quarantine even with a test

BAHAMIAN health officials are quarantining returning residents from abroad even if they test negative for COVID-19 an extra precaution against false negatives and a spike in positive cases lately. Many Bahamian travellers are up in arms because, des

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Fears of Bimini lockdown after another two cases

BIMINI residents are fearful about another lockdown for the island after two new COVID-19 cases emerged there this week. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis imposed a full lockdown of the small island community on May 18 when some 13 residents had teste

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Crisis forces 103 John Bull redundancies

JOHN Bull has made 103 employees - 15 percent of its staff - redundant as the COVID-19 crisis continues to ravage businesses around the country.

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COVID-19: 21 new cases, Deputy PM tests negative but will self quarantine

A RECORD 21 new COVID-19 cases were recorded yesterday, 20 in Grand Bahama and one in New Providence, bringing the country’s toll in virus infections to 174.

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Nine new cases of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that there are nine new cases of COVID-19.

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5 MORE CASES: Another two travel infected added to week’s rising tally

THE Bahamas recorded five new COVID-19 cases yesterday as the Office of the Prime Minister announced that Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, the face of the government’s COVID-19 response, is leaving her post next week.

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Bahamasair flight attendant tests positive for COVID-19, three new cases in New Providence

A BAHAMASAIR flight attendant tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday as health officials announced three new COVID-19 cases in New Providence yesterday, including two with a history of travel.

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FAKE COVID TESTS USED BY VISITORS

HEALTH officials say people have tried to enter the Bahamas with fake COVID-19 documents, prompting a police investigation.

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Pizza Hut employee has COVID

A PIZZA Hut employee in Grand Bahama was revealed yesterday to have COVID-19 as deep cleaning of the CA Smith complex began because a migrant with COVID-19 was present on the premises.

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FRIDAY UPDATE: One new case of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health announced on Friday that there is a new confirmed case of COVID-19.

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Same-day virus tests set to be introduced

WITH Doctors Hospital announcing plans to introduce same day PCR COVID-19 testing, a local health official does not expect this to lead to a significant rise in confirmed virus cases because there is “no community transmission” occurring at the momen

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Mackey seeks to ease fears over tourists not wearing masks

SOME residents of Harbour Island are complaining that tourists are not following COVID-19 protocols, but MP for the area Ricky Mackey told The Tribune that the matter is under control and protocols will be enforced. A resident of Harbour Island took

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UPDATED: Mexican workers 'all had negative COVID-19 tests'

BAHAMIAN medical experts yesterday insisted measures are in place to limit the risk of someone with COVID-19 entering The Bahamas.

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Some residents are happy to travel - others not so sure

WHILE some Bahamians are ready to take a trip abroad after several months of the country’s borders being closed, others are hesitant to travel overseas due to rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world. Paulette Culmer says she plans to travel

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U.S. COVID spike - we can cope

AS coronavirus cases skyrocket in the United States, a top local infectious disease expert says The Bahamas can still manage reopening the country without an explosion of COVID-19 cases if protocols are executed properly.

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Carib visitors to face quarantine

TRAVELLERS coming to The Bahamas from English-speaking CARICOM member countries will not be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test for entry to this country, according to Tourism Director General Joy Jibrilu.

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Tourists need negative COVID-19 test from July 1

TOURISTS who come to the country when commercial international travel resumes on July 1 will have to present a negative COVID-19 test.

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Consultant Physician Staff Association wants people tested before entering the country

THE Consultant Physician Staff Association wants people abroad to be tested before they enter the Bahamas as countries around the globe are experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases as restrictions are relaxed.

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'We’re not doing enough COVID testing'

FORMER Health Minister Dr Duane Sands says The Bahamas is not testing nearly enough people for COVID-19 and he does not support re-opening the country’s borders to people not tested for the virus.

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SATURDAY UPDATE: One new case of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that there is one new confirmed case of COVID-19.

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Returning Bahamians and residents no longer required to quarantine

BAHAMIANS and residents returning to the country will no longer be mandated to quarantine or self-isolate upon arrival, but will instead be monitored by the health surveillance team “if necessary”, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced on Thursday.

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New relief flight for returnees

BAHAMASAIR is set to put on another COVID-19 relief flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nassau this Friday for Bahamian citizens and residents. The flight is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale at 2pm.

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‘Why are they still closed?’: Islanders angry at lack of answers on keeping them shut

RESIDENTS in Family Islands without COVID-19 have criticised the government’s decision for not allowing Exuma, Eleuthera and San Salvador to resume commercial activities, saying it’s unfair that some islands without cases are given certain freedoms, while others are not.

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INSIGHT: We can buy ourselves time but there's no fix without testing

As Biminites brace themselves for a painful 14-day lockdown, we are hoping for the best for our brothers and sisters. Knowing how taxing prevention measures have been for many Bahamians, the psychological and socio-economic collateral damage of a two-week lockdown is not to be taken lightly.

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'I have never felt so sick in my life': Bahamian living in US describes COVID-19 nightmare

A BAHAMIAN living in the US who is recovering from COVID-19 said the virus was a nightmare that she thought would take her life.

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COVID-19 infection took mental toll on healthcare worker

A woman working in healthcare, who tested positive for COVID-19, is able to recall the exact moment she was infected with the disease.

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Doctor’s girls fighting virus: Health worker sisters struck by COVID-19 battle illness together

LIFE has not been easy for Dr George Charite since his two daughters tested positive for COVID-19 last month. The Abaco resident says his daughters - who he chose not to name - have been aiding in the fight against the virus and have been battling the potentially deadly disease since mid-April. “My two daughters are in the nursing field,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

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