Bahamas Records Highest Number of New COVID-19 Cases in a Single Day

Health officials reported 228 new coronavirus cases on Friday, hitting a record number of infections reported in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health show that this number is historical for the Bahamas and is a reminder that the virus continues to be transmitted.

Health officials said a total of 499 cases were reported between August 1-5. At the same time last week, July 25-29, 558 confirmed cases were reported.

Officials also reported two additional deaths that are being investigated.

Breakdown of new cases

• New Providence  164
• Grand Bahama  11
• Abaco  15
• Bimini and Cat Cay  3
• Eleuthera  20
• Exuma  12
• Andros  3

Twenty of these cases have a history of travel within the last fourteen days.

State of Play

On August 2, the country celebrated Emancipation Day as a public holiday. It is worth noting that when there is a holiday, members of the public may delay being tested for COVID-19 and most laboratory facilities would be closed.

The Ministry said this often results in an increase in the number of confirmed cases reported days following a holiday.