by Linda Straker
- One who left quarantine associated with a recently diagnosed Covid-19 case
- All new positive cases are unvaccinated individuals travelling from USA
- Illegal mass gatherings can become super-spreaders of Covid-19
A person who is associated with one of Grenada’s recently diagnosed Covid-19 cases was among 2 individuals who left a quarantine facility without permission from the relevant authorities, and they will be facing charges for violating the quarantine regulations.
“I think it was last night an individual just left a quarantine site. The person just left the quarantine site and we have to be running to try to find this person. We don’t know where they had gone and now contact tracing has to kick in,” said Edvin Martin Commissioner of Police during a session with the media on Wednesday morning.
Health Minister Nickolas Steele has since confirmed that the 2 individuals who arrived on the island Tuesday were awaiting the result of their PCR Covid-19 test when they decided to walk away from the quarantine facility in Grand Anse.
The relevant steps were taken, and they were picked up. One of them had departed the facility in the vehicle of another, while the other was found within close proximity to the hotel.
On Wednesday 21 July, the Ministry of Health Covid-19 dashboard showed that there are currently 3 active cases on the island. It is understood that all the new positive cases are unvaccinated individuals travelling from the USA.
Fully vaccinated individuals spend a maximum of 48 hours in quarantine once a negative test is obtained from the Covid-19 test that is done on arrival at the airport. If positive, that person will remain in quarantine until medically cleared.
Speaking against the background that 26 individuals had entered the island illegally between January and June, the Commissioner of Police said that this includes returning nationals, Martin informed the media that the police are facing a new challenge. “The challenge also involves Grenadians leaving and going to other neighbouring territories and returning without proper contact tracing or following of the protocol… please adhere to the protocol,” he pleaded to the public.
Both Health and National Security personnel have expressed concern about the recent upsurge in mass gathering carnival-like activities occurring on weekends. The fear is that these activities which are not legally permitted, can become super-spreaders of Covid-19 if one person who was infected was to be among the crowd.
You need to stop the STUPIDITY of thinking you can have a double standard for locals and travellers / tourists. The covid virus DOESN’T CARE if you are local or not. The entry standards MUST BE THE SAME for ANYONE entering Grenada!!! How can you ge so stupid.
You blag blah blah about having Carnival and Jab Jab, but if those events include ONLY residents who have not travelled or new visitors there should NOT be any problems as there are no cases of covid on the island. The only cases you are getting are from nationals returning and NOT FOLLOWING PROTOCOLS or keeping quarantine. How did they present you with a negative PCR Test then end up positive?? What day were they diagnosed?? Or are you just saying they are positive because they left Quarantine.??
Starting to not believe anything you say Mr Steele.
Are you even thinking?. If individuals are entering illegally and locals are leaving the quarantine facilities without permission. What do you think will happen if atleast one of those individuals have COVID-19. Try to understand how they can become infected. The same gathering on the airport, the taxi to get to the airport…those are factors that must be considered.
I lose confidence in humanity whenever I read a commentd like yours.
Rules, policies and protocols are in place to protect the population. The fact that someone was allowed to bypassed those precautions is not acceptable but it also does not give others the right to do likewise. This selfish and egotistical ideas that we as people have and have been used by others to keep us divided is something we have to seriously get rid off
Today is Wednesday, July 21. Your story says Thursday, which is tomorrow.
This procedure of quarantine, is a very method to control possible spread of COVID19 here, therefore returning nationals who are unvaccinated has to be monitored by having them in a more controlled environment in terms of their mobility while receiving treatment. Its manageable, but will not succeed without enforcement.
Into jail and throw away the key!
