by Linda Straker
- Returning national is Grenada’s first confirmed Covid-19 case
- Ministry of Health aggressively conducting contact tracing
- Effective 23 March 2020 airports closed to all commercial passenger traffic
A 50-year-old female who arrived in Grenada from the United Kingdom onboard the Virgin Atlantic aircraft which landed at Maurice Bishop International Airport on 16 March 2020, has become Grenada’s first confirmed Covid-19 case.
“She arrived in Grenada from the United Kingdom on Monday, 16 March. She became symptomatic on Tuesday 17 March, and was subsequently tested,” said Health Minister, Nickolas Steele, during an emergency news conference on Sunday at midday.
Describing Grenada’s patient zero as an imported case, the minister, with Dr Francis Martin, Acting Chief Medical Officer; and Dr George Mitchell who is the Covid-19 Response Coordinator, said the patient is in isolation to prevent the potential spread of the disease. Officials of the Ministry of Health are also aggressively conducting contact tracing for the returning national who is exhibiting mild symptoms.
“I assure you that our very capable medical team has been actively following up and engaging in contact tracing. We are already moving to isolate and monitor several others who were in close contact with the patient. This will continue for the next 14 days, at least,” said the minister who explained that contact tracing includes using the flight manifest.
Grenada, on Sunday, announced that effective 23 March 2020 and until further notice, the airports will be closed to all commercial passenger traffic. The exception will be a British Airways flight which has been pre-approved for landing on 25 March.
Steele explained that there are British nationals in Grenada who wish to get out, and the flight is an accommodation for those who want to leave. He also announced that the flight will be coming with passengers, and because of having the first confirmed Covid-19 case, the persons on that flight will be treated differently in terms of the law and the health protocols.
He used the opportunity to advise the public to report or inform the Ministry of Health or nearest health facility, of any possible or suspected people displaying acute respiratory symptoms at this time.
“As the State of Grenada continues to aggressively monitor its ports and implement additional stringent methods to further protect our nation, the general public is urged to follow the safety advice and guidance of the Ministry of Health. Practice proper hygiene, and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet,” he said.
In keeping with standard protocol, the Ministry of Health has reported the confirmation of the first case to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
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First we had woman from the UK, who went to grenada leaving the virus there, then went to some of the other islands and leaving it there, and now we have one of our own citizen bringing it to her own people, are these people being paid to do this?I say guilty as hell
And they should be held responsible
For the pain and anguish that they will cause..
As we judge others so shall we be judge. I have listened to the experts and it was said that one can have the virus for 13days and not knowing they have it. If I will be upset with anyone is the Government 14 days quarantine should of been in effect sooner. A bird in hand is better than 1000 in the bushes.
Maybe she knew she was ill she
may have thought telling no one she is coming home she is safer at home.
Human nature is strange she had not thought of the Risk to others like herself
She had not done this delebrately just she was careless.
I agree she must known she was sick she took her chances she needs to pay for this she needs jail time or a fine
If this virus stays in your body for 14 -21 days how come this grenadian national got sick one day after she arrived. So she knew she was infected with this virus and still get on a plane infected other people and went to her home and infected some more people. This is a crime MURDER.
In Ghana
Everyone arriving into the country are taken by Military bus to a hotel for 14 day quarantine, carrying their own luggage
She fly the 16th and reported sick the 17th??
I dont believe that, she must have known she sick and still board the plane.
It’s a Grenadian who bring this plague to Grenada, not aCinese, not an Italian, European or American. A Grenadian and she knew it all along.
Grenada please follows the instructions of the health minister and the PM. Please use your intelegence if you don’t have that a little common sense will do. But please try to save your life this virus is lethal. This is nothing to joke with.
What about self quarantine. This person obviously didn’t follow the rules. Otherwise it would mean nobody would have contacted her. I would put her in prison for that soon as she has recovered.
So now we stop the ferry for 14 days to protect the people of Carriacou!