One passenger on board a repatriation flight from the United States tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on arrival at the Grantley Adams International Airport yesterday.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness said in a statement today that The Jet Blue flight brought 115 passengers, who were all tested on arrival. The American woman, who is resident in Barbados, was the sole positive test, and was immediately transferred to the isolation facility at Harrison Point, St Lucy.
Before this latest case, the island’s last confirmed COVID-19 patient was diagnosed on June 14. Ten days later, everyone in isolation was declared recovered and released.
The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory conducted 131 tests yesterday. All the others were negative for COVID-19.
Barbados has now recorded 98 cases of COVID-19, with 90 recoveries and seven deaths. The laboratory has completed 8 251 tests.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, today reminded the public that while Barbados had not recorded a new case for several weeks prior to yesterday, the pandemic was far from over and residents needed to continue to act responsibly.
“As we ready ourselves for the reopening of our airport to international flights, we know there is a possibility that we will have new cases. It is therefore important that people continue to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves by practising proper hand hygiene, physical distancing and wearing masks.
“When we do these things, we protect not only ourselves but also the most vulnerable among us, with whom we may come into contact,” he asserted. (BGIS)
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