by Minister for Health, Hon. Nickolas Steele
Today, 2 May 2020, I announce the 21st laboratory-confirmed case of Covid-19 here in Grenada.
To date, there have been 20 total cases on mainland Grenada, of which 13 have been declared medically recovered. The total active cases is now 7. This most recent case is a male in his early twenties, who is also an employee of the same company as four of our previously announced cases.
His household has been in quarantine, and so are the other possible contacts of case 15. Already, all of the employees of that company, and their contacts have been tested, with most returning negative. However, given the science of the disease, they continue to be monitored, based on their periods of possible exposure.
Health officials continue to be vigilant with their contact tracing, and are still working to determine the original point of contact for these workplace cases.
As we discussed before, that company is still closed and must demonstrate adherence to safety measures before it is allowed to reopen. We will ensure that every business that opens up, or requests permission to open up, does so with observance to the strictest levels of health and safety protocols.
We have developed guidelines for health and safety in the workplace, in consultation with unions, employers and other stakeholders. Each workplace must demonstrate that it will adhere to those guidelines, in order to receive permission to operate. While we are all anxious to resume further economic activities, we have repeatedly said that we will not do so at the expense of lives.
Workplaces, especially enclosed spaces, are ideal places for the transmission of viruses. Therefore, we urge everyone to remember to keep your guard up in the workplace, just as you would in the outdoors. Exercise the same measures, such as frequent handwashing, use of hand sanitisers, practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet and wear your masks, always. These measures, when combined have proven to drastically reduce the spread of the virus.
Fellow citizens, our present case is cause for concern for another reason. This is one of our youngest cases, so far. Health experts the world over have been raising alarm in recent weeks over the increasing number of young people contracting and dying from the virus.
Early reports, coming out of Wuhan, China, at the onset of Covid-19, suggested that the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions were more likely to be seriously affected by the virus.
But, as the virus continues to spread worldwide, the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other expert agencies, have reported an alarming trend, in that a significant number of young people are now being infected, and many of them seriously so—to the point of requiring hospitalisation or intensive care. Unfortunately, too, a growing number of young people have died from virus complications.
While a great number of young people are still more likely to also have milder cases of the virus, the science continues to evolve. We must not take for granted that age is a mitigating factor in the contracting of this disease. Nothing about Covid-19 should be taken for granted.
We continue to implore that you practice the safety measures, and that you stay vigilant, especially on days like today and tomorrow, when you are out shopping, or as you leave your homes to return to workplaces over the coming weeks and months.
Remember that many people are also asymptomatic carriers of the disease, but can still transmit it to others. Practice physical distancing at every turn. Wear your masks every time you leave your home. We are not anywhere close to seeing the end of Covid-19; and as science and history have taught us, viruses come in waves and each one can be worse than the one before.
We are in the first wave, and we must exercise caution at every turn.
Again, if you are, or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of this disease, such as, fever, shortness of breath, cough, weakness, abdominal pain or diarrhoea, do not leave your house. Avoid contact with others, and reach out to us immediately, through text, Facebook messaging or please call our health hotline at 538 4787 or 458 4787.
Together, let us continue to save lives.
Government of Grenada
There is science, but there is also God who give life to the scientist and not scientist
Honorable Minister Steele,
Thank you for your service. I believe you are doing good work under extremely difficult and stressful circumstances.
I realize that Grenada is only a small part of the world and therefore cannot escape the myriad bad effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At what point do you think there should be a discussion regarding how to mitigate the economic consequences of the global lock down? Already, funds are being allocated to help cover the needs of some of Grenada’s citizens who have lost income, however no amount of money can buy food if there is none to buy.
As I write this, there are many reports of food shortages beginning in the United States and Europe. Because of the lock down and the Corporate consolidation of food production, farmers are being forced to plow crops under, dump millions of gallons of milk, throw out millions of eggs, etc. 15 out of 20 meat packing plants across the USA are shut down. The list could go on and on.
The World Food Programme and other humanitarian NGOs are now warning that the “cure is the disease” and that the economic consequences of the pandemic response are going to put an “additional 130 million lives at risk” due to starvation and lack of affordable medical care. This is not new information. The WHO, and leading governments have known for decades what the consequences of a global pandemic would be, and have done practically nothing to educate the public on the need for personal health responsibility and food security. Instead their solutions have been to over-regulate small farmers out of business, and the use of toxic vaccines which only increase chronic illness and suffering. As soon as it becomes apparent that a food crisis is looming, hording will begin and wealthy food producing countries will be reluctant to export if it means putting their own population at risk.
Considering that COVID-19 has now been shown to have a death-rate similar to the seasonal flu, it is way past time for Grenada to start discussing how to mitigate a looming food crisis by encouraging private land owners to plant gardens, finding new sources in producing countries, and perhaps even putting government owned properties into production. If we sit by and do nothing, the “cure” in terms of crime, poverty, and public health will be many times more devastating than the “disease” could ever be.
Well said. Grenada took the right steps with the information it had in the beginning but with the newest data is showing similar death rates to influenza, I think we need to open business back up with safety protocols in place. Grenadians can be trusted to follow these guidelines. We should absolutely continue to quarantine the sick and ideally the elderly or anyone with chronic illness should remain home most of the time in the beginning. Continuing to quarantine the healthy could have some bad consequences as well so they should be allowed to get back to work, business, etc. Thank you for listening!
If there is health carries out there cut down on certain things n tighten lock a little or test the whole nation
We all are facing extreme times and we all have to do what is necessary to stay safe. I work for Norwegian Cruise Line and today the company has moved most if not all the crew members to guest cabins some with balconies. The food is not 100% perfect as compared to our lovly oil dawn and many other dishes, I so crave every day I look at the food.
We all want to come home but if for now we are placed in a safe haven out in the ocean why would I want to leave and run the risk of contracting this virus in being moved to come home. I miss my family and friends very much everyday but it’s time these crew member realize that if you are save untill it saver to travel .shut your mouth!!!!
These same type of grenadians and caribbean people who used to clean bathroom and toliet they are now living in luxurious guest cabins, are the same ones crying out like if we are about to die on the cruise ship. Everyone is facing a difficult time as for me the little this company is doing in their capacity to keep us safe and still feed us, no bills and a cabin all to yourself , I appreciate because we are alive and safe at sea.
Some of this crew member living in board housing with rats running outside and cant see we are save untill its saver to leave.
Leave me where I am untill all this is over, i dont want to leave and get infected or infect anyone. By the way I have a big screen TV and a big bed I never had one like that when I was home. Also I used the time to come up with future plans.
If I cant get a flight to come get me on the Cruise ship straight to my bed in grenada , leave me alone please!!!!
We all are facing extreme times and we all have to do what is necessary to stay safe. I work for Norwegian Cruise Line and today the company has moved most if not all the crew members to guest cabins some with balconies. The food is not 100% perfect as compared to our lovly oil dawn and many other dishes, I so crave every day I look at the food.
We all want to come home but if for now we are placed in a safe haven out in the ocean why would I want to leave and run the risk of contracting this virus in being moved to come home. I miss my family and friends very much everyday but it’s time these crew member realize that if you are save untill it saver to travel .shut your mouth!!!!
These same type of grenadians and caribbean people who used to clean bathroom and toliet they are now living in luxurious guest cabins, are the same ones crying out like if we are about to die on the cruise ship. Everyone is facing a difficult time as for me the little this company is doing in their capacity to keep us safe and still feed us, no bills and a cabin all to yourself , I appreciate because we are alive and safe at sea.
Some of this crew member living in board housing with rats running outside and cant see we are save untill its saver to leave.
Leave me where I am untill all this is over, i dont want to leave and get infected or infect anyone. By the way I have a big screen TV and a big bed I never had one like that when I was home. Also I used the time to come up with future plans.
If I cant get a flight to come get me on the Cruise ship straight to my bed in grenada , leave me alone please!!!!