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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Now that the virus have come to our front door here in Grenada Mississippi is community responsibility to follow instructions and to be well and to keep safe if you feel sick stay home stop gathering in stores like they’re not going to open the next day use wisdom in dealing with people as far as crowds and gatherings time now for Grenada that has a church on every corner to begin to pray it’s a perfect time for families to get back to being families talking communicating and understanding is a time for us to reach out to our elderly and disabled to make sure they’re okay but most of all we need to be responsible residence for our own community stay well stay safe and may God keep us in this time
This is Grenada in the Caribbean, not Mississipi.
If there is any good news. The Grenada Ministry of Health is On Top Of Their GAme. Thanks to Everyone.
If this 50 year old womsn was discovered to be a carrier of Covid-19, while in quarantine, this is great news. Grenada would of been an example to the rest of how to be pre-emptive, when the warnings are written on the walls. Grenadians aroung the world should stay where they are at this time, Traveling to Grenada st yhis time will put Grenada’s resources and residents under stress.. If I or anyone desired to travel at this time I would expect to be placed under quarantine whereever I land. This is considered normal at this time. SO if one deside to travel they should expect to be quarantine when they land. If you dont get Quarantined when you land, please stay away from your FAMILY for at least 14 days. Everyone knows how hard this is to do, but if you love your family you would do it.
Ugh! I am so so sad to hear the virus has hit beautiful GND.
I do hope people will take it seriously and avoid unnecessary contact, wash your hands, stay home if you can, be careful of touching gas pumps, ATM machines, etc.
Stay strong! The whole planet is in this together.
I look forward to the day I can visit your lovely island again.
Paula in Canada
I’m so sorry to about that Our prayers goes out to the entire country of Grenada This is a sad time the whole world going through this Coronavirus I hope this end very shortly
It appears people have lost their senses and humanity.
This is not the time to indulge in the blame game and crucifying people for their inadvertent mistakes.
This is the flu on steroids ,and it is no respecta of persons,color and social strata.Lets do what it takes to stem the spread of the virus by being alert ,informed,practicing social distancing,frequent hand washing ,using hand sanitizers ,and continue to learn,educate ourselves and our loved ones and friends,as things continue to evolve.We are all from the same Human family ,let’s use wisdom here and refrain from attacking and judging others.I was in Grenada 2weeks ago for a medical conference 28yrs or so after the invasion and the place and the people are still the same wonderful people-No problem man.Peace
Before accusing this poor sick lady of all sorts of things including murder, you sound like a pack of hounds. She could very well have felt fine on boarding the plane and been unaware that she was sick. Why didn’t your health system check her temperature on landing, were all the passengers checked and made to sign a declaration as to where they had traveled to in the past 15 days and state of health, temperature etc,,, like we were on arriving by sail boat from St Vincent?
It is because of this woman that mom cannot make a safel journey home. When travelling, no one knows how sick, selfish and careless the passenger is sitting next to you, in front of you, or in back of you. People, if you think your sick, stay home and stay away from elderly folks.
I thought I read that everyone coming to Grenada from a country that had the virus had to go into isolation for 14 days. And how about not accepting people to travel to Grenada from any high risk countries. If these things are being followed the virus won’t reach there. People shouldn’t be permitted to travel full stop.. Its irresponsible for anyone to travel from a high risk country in this current situation but people just won’t listen. I as well think this lady must have had some symptoms when she got on the plane.. She must have known she wasn’t well to travel.. . Just think about all the people she could have infected
Yes she is grenadian were she in isolation for 14 days when she arrive before going to her home .no this person who allow her to pass need to be fired for just accecept people like thay .why isolate some an she given the ok