newprovidence

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis loosened restrictions for New Providence and Abaco, while tightening measures for Eleuthera.

Why it matters

The number of COVID-19 cases in New Providence and Abaco has slowed and health officials say they are encouraged by the decrease, while cases have heightened in Eleuthera, causing concern as the island battle 117 cases.

Key points

New Providence and Abaco

• The 24-hour weekend curfew was lifted on New Providence and Abaco, replaced with a 6 pm to 5 am curfew on weekends.
• Beginning tomorrow, Monday 9th, a new weekday curfew imposed from 9 pm to 5 am  in NP and Abaco. The curfew will be implemented in Grand Bahama on weekdays and weekends.
• Retail businesses and pharmacies can begin in-store services, Monday to Saturday.
• Grocery stores can reopen to the public on Saturdays, restocking on Sundays.
• Arawak Cay can restart outdoor dining Monday to Friday.
• Hotels can resume in-door dining.
• Beaches and parks are opened to the public on weekends from 5 am to 6 pm. Groups are still limited to 5 people.

Eleuthera

Excludes Spanish Wells and Harbour Island

• Effective this week, a 24-hour weekend curfew will begin at 6 pm every Friday to 5 am every Monday.
• A daily curfew will be imposed from 6 pm to 5 am.
• Businesses can operate during the week but can not operate on weekends.
• Bars and restaurants will be closed.
• Funerals and weddings are restricted to 10 people, excluding officiant; graveside services permitted only; no wedding receptions permitted.
• No indoor church services allowed.
• No in-person classes permitted.

Featured image: OPM Communications Unit

Health officials have seen major improvements in New Providence and Abaco as COVID-19 cases decrease since the last four weeks of weekend lockdowns and daily curfews.

There is a 50% decrease in new cases between October 10th and November 5th. And, in the last 7 days, statistics show an 8 percent decrease.

The big picture

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis implemented restricted measures for New Providence and Abaco in early October, including a 24-hour weekend lockdown and a return of curfews, emphasizing that coronavirus cases were deteriorating and the healthcare system was near collapse.

Worthnoting

• 34 new cases were confirmed on Thursday. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas to 6,916.
• Total COVID-19 hospitalizations have significantly reduced and currently stand at 59, which is down from the high of 122 on 22nd October.
• At the Princess Margaret Hospital, there are 27 COVID-19 patients who are moderately ill. There are no patients in ICU at PMH presently.
• 97 persons recovered from COVID-19 yesterday. This brings the total number of recoveries to 4,876. The recovery rate is now at 70.5%.
• In New Providence, there are 13 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Doctor’s Hospital. 10 are moderately ill and 3 are in ICU.
• There are 5 moderately ill COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the South Beach Acute Care and Referral Centre.

A church in Abaco is closed temporarily for in-person services after its pastor was afflicted with COVID-19.

Pastor Silbert Mills said although the government has allowed churches to reopen, Friendship Baptist Church will remain closed for the entire month of October—and longer if necessary.

Mills said he believes it started when the church held a service on September 1^st celebrating the anniversary of Hurricane Dorian. Soon after, a deacon in the church became sick and later tested positive for COVID-19. After praying for the member, he too was stricken with the virus, experiencing coughs, weakness, fever and loss of appetite.

“There were nights I felt like I was not going to see the next day. Do not take this COVID-19 thing lightly.

“I was sweating night time from my head to my toe. I had to change clothes throughout the night at least three times.”

Pastor Mills said he isolated himself for three weeks.

“I felt a couple of nights as though I was going to die.”

The government lockdown measures have drawn criticism from some members of the public. And just Wednesday, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced a 24-hour weekend lockdown for New Providence and Abaco as numbers escalate in these specific islands.

Health statistics show that one in every one hundred New Providence resident is infected with the virus, with one death per day.

Officials said this has placed a strain on health care facilities as it risks collapse due to the increase in numbers.

Pastor Mills sent a message to critics of the government. “Those who are demonstrating against the government of the Bahamas, and the prime minister, you haven’t had it yet.”

He continued, “More people will die from this thing that you would imagine, in the Bahamas because we’re not taking this thing serious, we do not understand what it will do to you.”

As New Providence and Abaco implement the lockdown measures, churches on these islands are permitted to meet for one hour between the hours of 7am and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The 24hour lockdown begins Friday 9th at 7pm and lifts Tuesday 13th at 5am.

Sunday’s national address by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis seemed to prepare the nation for a possible lockdown.

Dr. Minnis’ speech was littered with notions of “lockdown” with many viewers sitting on their edge of their seats, waiting for him to announce the new measure for New Providence. But it never happened.

Now many are speculating when a lockdown will be implemented by Minnis.

Here’s five things Minnis said that supports a lockdown is looming for the New Providence and Abaco:

• Minnis highlighted that other countries have returned to lockdown measures to combat virus increases

He said, “Some countries have gone back to targeted lockdowns or more restrictive curfews and other measures needed to address the high number of infections, hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths.”

• Minnis hinted that lockdown is an international measure used to fight the virus

“If cases rise exponentially and virus spread is out of control, governments often have no choice but to order a lockdown to save lives.

“This has become an international standard and response by most governments around the world, including countries that have generally had a good response to the pandemic.”

• Minnis praised the sucess of lockdowns in Bimini and Grand Bahama

“Indeed, the targeted and sustained lockdowns in Bimini and most recently, Grand Bahama, were essential in reducing the number of infections on those islands, both of which continue to have low numbers at this time.”

• Minnis painted a grim picture of COVID-19 in New Providence

“One in every 100 residents of New Providence is now infected with COVID-19.

“Sadly, we are now averaging one death per day and our medical facilities have now reached capacity.”

• Minnis said PAHO and WHO representative Dr. Esther de Gourville, and Consultant Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis are set to discuss future strategies in a “special meeting” with Cabinet and the Opposition.

“After these various meetings, I will brief the nation on the recommendations of our health experts, especially on the way forward for New Providence and Abaco.”

The Ministry of Health confirmed four unfortunate deaths related to COVID-19.

These cases bring the death toll to 63.

Who are the deceased?

• A  46-year-old female of New Providence, who passed away on 31st August
• A 71-year-old female of New Providence, who passed away on 26th August,
  2020
• A 61-year-old male of Exuma, who passed away on 30th August
• A 63-year-old female of New Providence, who passed away on 26th August

An additional non-COVID related death is also confirmed. This reduces the number of deaths under investigation to 10 and increases the non-COVID related deaths to 8.

Are there new cases of the virus?

Yes, 72 additional cases of COVID-19 in the country were confirmed. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 2,657.

• 1,725 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence
• 589 confirmed cases in Grand Bahama
• 95 confirmed cases in Abaco
• 54 confirmed cases in Bimini
• 23 confirmed cases in Exuma
• 15 confirmed cases in the Berry Islands
• 13 confirmed cases in Inagua
• 8 confirmed cases in Cat Island
• 8 confirmed cases in Eleuthera
• 8 confirmed cases in Long Island
• 7 confirmed cases in Acklins
• 3 confirmed cases in Andros
• 2 confirmed cases in Crooked Island
• 2 confirmed cases in Mayaguana
• 105 confirmed cases with locations pending