COVID-19 Testing Coming Near You

Dr. Minnis said the testing will allow medical professionals to see the degree to which COVID19 affects the Bahama; thus influencing new measures going forward

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said the Ministry of Health is expected to expand COVID-19 testing, this week.

At a COVID-19 press conference on Monday, Minnis said he expects the number of person affected with the virus to increase as a result of the testings.

“The Ministry of Health plans to expand testing this week. This will result in an increase in the number of cases. Health officials are closely monitoring the case numbers as this will inform where we are in the surge.

“This means that as testing expands, more people will be diagnosed with COVID-19 in The Bahamas, including those with mild symptoms,” he said.

He said health officials have been prioritizing testing to individuals with moderate and severe disease.

Minnis said this is the case because of the real challenges related to testing limitations in the face of the global shutdown.

He added that the testing would allow medical experts to see the COVID19 situation from a broader perspective.

“As we get a broader picture of the true extent of COVID-19 in the Bahamas, this data should reflect that the case fatality rate is indeed lower.

“Information from the field is also informing us that some populations are particularly hard hit and have higher mortality rates from COVID-19.

He said the information compiled by health officials on the COVID-19 outbreak in the country will help to guide the health strategy, including measures like curfews and lock-downs.

“We continue to strategize and act to manage COVID-19 to the best of our ability, to prevent a surge in cases and to prevent the loss of countless lives,” Minnis said.