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COVID-19 Czar Richard Carter.

COVID-19 Czar: Virus is not a death sentence

COVID-19 Czar Richard Carter says the recent release of six recovered patients of COVID-19 is a reminder that the virus is not a death sentence.

During a press briefing on Sunday, Carter reflected on the island’s first death which occurred on Saturday. It was an 81-year-old man who had a recent travel history with the United Kingdom.

According to Carter, “With care and appropriate treatment, patients can survive,” he reminded.

He also drew attention to the fact that even though the term “imported” is being used to make a distinction between persons who have acquired the disease overseas or who have travelled and return to Barbados sick and a distinction between persons who have been infectedlocally.

“The majority of those persons who are imported cases are in fact Barbadians. They are Barbadian citizens and by such designation they are entitled to travel and return to their country of origin and we therefore want to draw this to the public’s attention because we would not want the impression to be created that cases are being imported in Barbados particularly in respect of where we have heard a number of calls for the closure of our borders,” he stated.

He said the announcements made in relation to the facilities and equipment, gives further strengthening to the commitment that has been made to ensure that Barbados is as ready as it possibly can be for the treatment of persons with COVID-19.

“You would also have heard of the emergence of a number of volunteer medical officials who will take some of the strain and pressure off our frontline health care workers by
providing some of that back of the medical support that we are delivering. it is important that we do everything not to put additional pressure on our health care system, staying off the road and staying at home, following the public health advice that has been given.”

The czar expressed disappointment that yesterday, there were still too many people traversing on the highways and byways of Barbados and persons making purchases from facilities that have been prohibited from operating under the curfew.

“We still continue to see the level of irresponsible behaviour albeit from a minority of Barbadians, we are still continuing to see that behaviour.

“This is a reminder that the virus thrives in exceptions. So persons who fail to follow the advice even though they may be a small minority, that minority is putting the rest of us at risk,” he warned. (JH)

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