The Minister for Health has announced that 2 more laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed on mainland Grenada.
This brings the number of total confirmed cases of Covid-19 to nine. Of that number, one is an imported case, and the other is likely an import-related case, with relatives who were visiting from New York.
The new cases are as follows: A 72-year-old female, who started experiencing symptoms on 20 March and was tested on 25 March. Since the onset of her symptoms, she has been under the care of a doctor. Healthcare officials are aggressively investigating, in an effort to determine the exact point of contact, as well as potential mass exposure, given that the relatives arrived on a flight from NY on 17 March.
Healthcare officials do not yet know the exact point of contact for this particular case, but are operating under the assumption that all of the foregoing are real possibilities, just to be safe. The Minister stated that once that information is available, the public will be informed.
The second case is a 50-year-old male who was on the same flight from the United Kingdom on 16 March, sitting within a 6-foot radius of our first confirmed case, and several of the other cases that were confirmed two days ago on 26 March. Both individuals, as well as the other cases previously announced, are all exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms.
The minister also gave reports on testing, citing that 9 people have been tested positive so far, and 35 negative, with none pending, but with the developments now, we anticipate that this will change overnight.
The pending cases are all under surveillance so as to contain further spread of the disease. Our testing included people who we have been found through contact tracing, as well as people who had ailments, such as respiratory issues.
With increasing numbers of cases, CARPHA has been working with us and the rest of the region to deliver results in as timely a manner as possible. This is why, now that numbers are increasing, the healthcare team is sparing no effort in contact tracing to determine points of contact, as well as to ascertain the possibility of community spread.
In terms of quarantine and isolation measures, the ministry continues to rigorously enforce those. Several entire households are presently under quarantine, and we have asked the RGPF to further tighten their surveillance mechanisms to rigidly ensure that people are observing the rules. The ministry remains vigilant.
The ministry’s medical team, led by Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr Shawn Charles, has been working tirelessly on actively following up with contact tracing since our first case, and even more so after our next 6 cases were confirmed 2 days ago. Health officials have already moved to isolate and monitor several others, who were in close contact with any of the cases. This will continue for the next 14 days, at least. All our confirmed cases are being reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Pan American Health Organisation Organisation.
The minister urged the public to report or inform the Ministry of Health or nearest health facility, of any possible, or suspected individuals displaying acute respiratory symptoms at this time.
Minister Steele asked that anyone who believes he or she is exhibiting symptoms of the virus, not to leave their house or take public transportation, and instead, should call the health hotline at 538-4787 or 458-4787.
In closing, the Minister of Health emphasised again, that the entire population must continue to rigidly observe the practices and precautions necessary to contain the spread of Covid-19, here in the State of Grenada.
A Limited State of Emergency is in place to safeguard the population from further spread of the virus. Failure to comply with those measures is potentially fatal to the general population. For every one person who contracts the disease, potentially dozens more are exposed and vulnerable. Do the math.
He implored the public to be their brother’s keeper because an individual’s actions can potentially have life or death consequences for someone else. The Minister of Health again urged the public to wash hands frequently; practice proper cough and sneeze hygiene; refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. “It is extremely critical that you also maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. Those are simple measures you can take daily to do your part to curb the spread of Covid-19.”
GIS
No one telling us the truth where this Virus comes from. It’s like the Passover. It might pass or not. But surely some one knows who started this. It looks like no country will be spared. It was jus a matter of time that Grenada caught this. This could be in the air, that’s why the want everyone indoors especially the over 65’s so let’s not put blame on our country leaders they are all be instructed what course of action to take. lets just try to adjust to this new way of life, the world has to stop to start again it was getting out of control, maybe things might be better after this. This will give us time to change our habits for the better I hope. Thank God for Technology so we can keep in touch.
Sad to say but this thing has gone out of control already.
The health minister and his whole team… all persons who came on the flight should have been quarantined since one person were ready showing symptoms… we fail to realise the interior of the plane the washroom, interior closely pack seats and I can go on.
So in a place like that it becomes rather easly for infections to be transmitted we walk down the corridors of the plain we touch and just like that…..
Another thing the people are not thinking about is that people who travel when they return to their homeland they become very high headed. You so cannot talk to them for them to obay.. I have seen it many times, so you sending them home to self quarantine is just a waste you said you know for a fact that these persons stayed home.. am certain there were no police at their yard… and am sure because family members said she were at the family funeral and that funeral was a BIG one.. business from st. George’s were present so have you found everyone and test them, have you.
Up to this point all persons who came on that flight have not been tested. For instance the persons in carriacou. A video is circulating that you guys call them, and up to last week the weren’t tested. Hmmmm
I can go on but, that wouldnt make any difference …
The most I will say right now is that THE COUNTRY NEED TO BE UNDER TOTAL LOCK DOWN.
LOOK AT THE US, UK, ITALLY AND GERMANY, THEY CANNOT HANDLE IT..
THEY ARE IN A BETTER POSITION THAN US. WHAT MAKE YOU THINK WE CAN?
I am one of the persons who came on the flight on the 16th and I can assure you that from the moment we the first person showed symptoms which was the 17th quarantine started, we have not attended weddings or family funerals, people are scared and are making untrue statements, we have not left our premises and have been very responsible about the situation . We would not intentionally put anyone at risk. The general public of Grenada should adhere to what the government is telling them to do in order for this virus to be contained and stop criticising the amazing efforts the government are putting in place to protect its people. People should be praying not gossiping!!!
MOD
Please safeguard our islands by closing all entries by individuals to Grenada, Carriacou, and PM and keep them closed until all this pandemic has passed.
Unless we do this there will be individuals guaranteed, who will ignore the warnings.
Stay at home, self isolate and try to prevent this virus from reaching yourself and others.
Please all our Grenadian people and friend’s and family,, please stay home if necessary try and stay clear away from people , it will be hard to do but ,,, wash hands after touching things from shops and other things, please don’t let this invisible enemy take hold , please take notice off the government and what they are telling you to do if you don’t
you will spread this virus don’t think it will miss you it will not , ,and you will DIE stay safe ok
AN APPEAL TO THE THE RIGHT Dr. KEITH MITCHELL, SIR PLEASE STOP ALL DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.. GRENADIANS ABROAD ARE COMING HOME TO HIDE, TO DIE AND IN THIS SELFISH MOVE THEY ARE INFECTING OUR FELLOW CITIZENS. PLEASE SIR, SECURE AN ISOLATION CHAMBER IN HER MAJISTY PRISON AND PUT THEM ALL IN THERE. I am vex, I am very vex about this exposure to our people…
The government need to show these persons to the public on nation tv, so people will know if they cam in contact with such person. The government all over the worl not thinking. They only chat chat
Honestly, this is poor. I maybe wrong but if these persons were quarantined for 14 days on entry…seeing they came from “hotspots”… then whomever were sick would be the only ones. But they were not tested at the airport, I heard, nor were they keeping to themselves I’m sure… then obviously every week we’ll get a higher number. Because by the time one or two show symptoms that’s the only way they’ll be tested and traced and by that time many more would have been exposed. I could be wrong. This was not nipped in the bud. This was handled poorly from the airport. As I said before I may be wrong. I wish I am, clear up my confusion please.
You’re right, they shouldnt visit anymore. In the next few years, your attitude will hurt the tourist economy. It will fall apart after all the bigotry i hear coming from some people. For a country that loves to throw around christian text, we dont seem to understand it very well.
Who Said they should visit anymore? Just Not right Now! OK your one of those who studying money.. REALLY!! At this time. Economy! That’s the reason we are in this mess. Studying who will lose money from all the cruise ships coming in. Its Not Bigotry, its stating a total Disregard of Laws put in Place to protect the health and life’s of Grenadians. Its like the sun has wiped out all the darkness and death they left behind and they gone into limeing mode. If they knew they could face Prison, or a $3000 Fine, they’ll think again trust me!!
It’s absolutely Ridiculous! People who have fled, or left their infected county’s, have had No respect for Grenadian law, and follow Simple Instructions to self isolate for the 14 days.
The Grenadian government has made it all to easy for this Virus to set in by moving to LATE. They should Not! be going to their family’s from airports, cause if they are infected, their family would still be spreading the Virus all around there town.
Visitors who have come in and Exposed others should be, not only fined, but prosecuted for putting so many life’s at risk.. I’ve seen people who have come from abroad, out and about like nothing! Criminals I call them. More needs to be done to keep them Inside. And Police need to be doing their jobs, with a 0 Tolerance for those FOOLISH ones who feel Grenadian can’t get.. and Make sure No groups gather and keeping to social distancing. I think we need a Total Lockdown if We are to stand a Chance.
I totally agree. The health ministry acted too late. And with regards to allowing the persons to go to their homes to practice social distancing…they know these hard headed ppl are not considerate to others, they should not have given them the benefit of a doubt in hopes that they’ll be responsible adults. The ministry should have been the parent in this scenario to spare the rest of the population, and lock those travellers down until further notice.
Universal testing for antibodies is essential for determining community spread. The test for antibodies, rather than testing just for the virus’RNA, will not only let us know who isinfected, so that screening, isolation and treatment can take place, but will tell us who was infected and may now have immunity.
Maybe now everyone will follow the very simple instructions to stay home!!! This very serious!!! Look what is happening to countries with advanced health care facilities!!! Destroyed!!!