Do not be complacent, warns Bostic

There has been a call for the people of Barbados not to become complacent and to continue to adhere to the health protocols, so as not to return to the past situation from earlier this year where there was an explosion of positive COVID-19 cases.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, during a press conference at the Grantley Adams International Airport, announced that of the 562 tests conducted for April 14 at the Best-dos Santos Laboratory, there were nine new positive COVID cases – three males and six females. Eight people were also said to be released from quarantine.

Minister Bostic stated that he continued to be happy with the way things were going statistically, based on the work that they have been doing.

“I congratulate the entire country, citizens, residents, the press, the many team members from the various parts of the frontline operations who have contributed to the continuous decline in our positivity rates,” said Bostic.

He however noted that if there was one thing he had learned from the experience of last year was that things could change in the twinkling of an eye, especially when people became complacent. The health minister referenced a couple situations in which the ministry was monitoring. He highlighted the previously re-ported new cluster from a church in the north, which now tallies around 23 people.

Bostic also stated that the cluster had spawned new COVID sites, impacting three institutions, with one having at least ten positive cases while the others had one each. The health minister explained that in his belief, these kinds of situations fed the pandemic, giving it life.

“The arrival of vaccines and the continuous decline in positivity rates is not an excuse for us to stop sanitising, stop social distancing and to stop wearing masks. We must be very, very vigilant as we go forward so that we continue in the present trajectory,” warned Bostic.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley reiterated the words of Minister Bostic and expressed her happiness at the continued progress in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, but also stated she wished they were better. Mottley acknowledged that the island had come a long way in recovering from the significant jump in cases at the start of the year and cautioned Barbadians not to drop their guard.

“The fact that this incident has happened where people remain stubborn and not want to co-operate or incline their hearts to wisdom, causes us to be in a position where other institutions have been put at risk today,” said the Prime Minister.

Mottley encouraged people to continue to adhere to the protocols and said that one of the only good things about the volcanic ash affecting the island was that everyone on the island was now wearing masks. She also highlighted that the vaccination programme had been affected by the arrival of the ash, but was still part of the primary battle going forward. (AS)