Friday, April 17, 2026

Health Ministry issues updated COVID guidelines

Date:

Share post:

The Ministry of Health and Wellness today issued updated guidelines for members of the public who test positive for COVID-19.

After the illness is confirmed, a person may or may not receive a phone call from someone at the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Public health officials are most concerned about persons with a new COVID-19 diagnosis who are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Chest heaviness
  • Chest pain
  • Chest tightness
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent diarrhoea (five or more watery stools per day)
  • Persistent coughing
  • Persistent vomiting (five or more times per day)
  • Pulse oximeter reading of less than 95%
  • Rapid breathing
  • Severe cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

If people have any of the above listed symptoms, they should seek further medical attention by calling the National COVID-19 Hotline at 536-4500 or the Operations Centre at any of the following numbers:

  • 536-3831
  • 536-3994/5/6
  • 536-4386
  • 836-7646/8

Additionally, if National Insurance Claim for Sickness forms are required, they may be obtained from a private medical doctor or the nearest polyclinic.

The Isolation Discharge Certificate will be sent to persons 10 days after their positive test result. A repeat test is not required to end isolation. COVID-positive individuals are expected to be in complete isolation at their private residence or accommodation until this time. If persons do not receive their discharge certificate on the due date, they may contact the Ministry’s Operations Centre at one of the numbers listed above. (PR/SAT)

 

Related articles

Barbados advances US$80m to secure its water future

The Government of Barbados is making a US$80 million investment in modernising its water infrastructure, marking another significant...

Brush my soul making waves

By Cheryl Harewood She has spent the last 20 years as a sculptor and her work can be found...

Two Bajan-New Yorkers die in fire

Grief, shock and a deep sense of loss have gripped an East Flatbush community in the heart of...

162 detained over online praise for school shootings in Turkey

Turkish police have arrested 162 people accused of posting controversial content online about two deadly school shootings which...