[Reprinted Loop Caribbean News 3-16-20]
The Bahamas has its first confirmed case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At an emergency press conference this afternoon, word of such came from the Acting Health Minister the Hon Jeffrey ‘Jeff’ Lloyd. Speaking at the head table and chairing the meeting, he said:
“The Bahamas today confirmed its first case of COVID-19 here in New Providence.” The patient is a 61-year-old resident of New Providence. She is not known to have travelled outside of the country in the past 20 days. She presented with fever and a cough. “Her exposure at this time is unknown”.
She is receiving care in the designated isolation area of the Princess Margaret Hospital. According to Lloyd, this case was detected in the health system because of the Ministry’s “enhanced surveillant methods for COVID-19”. Her family and social contacts are being investigated to determine if they could be the source of her infection.
The investigation is ongoing and an update will be given in 24 hours, Lloyd promised.