Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on Thursday said that while “this has not been our finest hour”, she is satisfied with the work of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in clearing the backlog of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests in the last few days, while also tackling current tests.
However, there were still 3 000 tests to be cleared from the backlog. Mottley said she expects January 7 to 10 results to be cleared by the end of the weekend, while continuing to be current.
The Prime Minister was speaking at Ilaro Court during a live a COVID-19 update, when she said the decision to separate current tests and tests which were backlogged had “paid dividends”.
She said there are three machines running tests – one for current tests and two for the backlog. She also gave a breakdown of tests.
The Prime Minister explained that there had been challenges with some samples and those tests were redone. Most of those people had received test results and were released, however, “a handful tested positive”.
In relation to seeking further medical assistance from countries such as Cuba, Mottley said this would give medical frontline workers a break and avoid burunout.
With respect to boosting testing capacity, the mobile lab Government was hoping to source from the Chinese Government would not be available until the middle of the year “at best”.
The Israelis, however, have provided mobile tests.
To further ease the burden of testing, Mottley said one private sector entity is well advanced in establishing a lab facility, while discussions are ongoing with another.
Government had changed management of the COVID-19 pandemic and testing during the past week after a major public outcry over lengthy delays in receiving test results. (KG)
