Wednesday, January 19, 2022
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised this country’s travel warning from level three to level four due to the “very high” level of COVID-19 infections, advising people to avoid travel to The Bahamas.
The country was raised from level two to level three — “reconsider travel” — two weeks ago.
The CDC’s website says people should “avoid travel” to The Bahamas, but added that if they do travel there, they should be fully vaccinated.
“Because of the current situation in The Bahamas, even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,” the CDC notes.
This comes as the Ministry of Health said a combined 526 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on January 16 and 17.
Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday the increased rating did not come as a surprise as many countries around the world experienced a surge in cases due to the Omicron variant.
Mr Cooper is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.
“We are aware of the United States Centers for Disease Control issuing a level four travel advisory for The Bahamas,” Mr Cooper said in a statement. “The move was not unexpected given the exponential rise in cases over the past two weeks.
“However, during the latest wave of COVID-19 infections, we have not noticed a dramatic increase in hospitalisations for severe symptoms and deaths have been rare.
“As the Minister of Health has pointed out, we believe we are at or nearing a peak in this wave of COVID-19 infections.”
Despite what appears to be milder symptoms from this variant, the Ministry of Tourism remains vigilant and poised to pivot when needed, he further said.
“Our hotel properties and tourism amenities are following proper protocols and have in place additional measures to make sure the travel experience is a safe one. Our health visa system for visitors remains in place as does our testing regime for all travellers.
“The recently launched free testing system has given us another tool in tracking the spread of COVID-19. In addition, our healthcare system has recently been bolstered by additional nurses and doctors.”
He said officials were hopeful they would see a drop in infection numbers in the coming weeks.
“When this happens, we are confident that the rating will be favourably reviewed. In the meantime, we are satisfied that our health protocols remain strong.
“We are actively engaging the Ministry of Health and our stakeholders to ensure that we strike the appropriate balance to protect public health, maintain robust tourist arrivals and a vibrant economy.”
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, there are 148 people in hospital.
Of this number 141 are moderately ill and seven are in the Intensive Care Unit.
Seven hundred and nineteen people have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Health.
Comments
whogothere says...
Close to 10,000 cases in last the month (out of 30,000 since 2020), but no death...7 in ICU...
We've lost our ever-lovin' minds...
Call it quits - gonzo - over...
Schools open, Masks off etc etc
Posted 19 January 2022, 9:27 a.m. Suggest removal
whogothere says...
and the UK agrees with me - about ef-ing time..
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60047438
Posted 19 January 2022, 11:11 p.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
The CDC has become a laughing stock.
Posted 19 January 2022, 10:05 a.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
Actually, the entire US Government.
Posted 19 January 2022, 4:04 p.m. Suggest removal
CoolCatBD says...
What Drugs are officially authorized in The Bahamas, to treat Covid? (Vaccinated and Unvaccinated) What drugs are they using in the hospital or at he doctor's office.
Posted 19 January 2022, 11:26 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
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Posted 19 January 2022, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal
ted4bz says...
I do not know a single vaccine free person with covid and I do not know anyone who knows anyone with covid either, but we all know someone who got the shot, either got sick afterwards or contracted an outbreak of covid/flu later. So regardless to the official oral-covid-numbers that's about it.
Posted 19 January 2022, 3:18 p.m. Suggest removal
carltonr61 says...
Darville was too late for some unknown reason. As nations were saying weeks ago all persons are being tested to enter health facilities unrelated to covid. He just kept the ball spinning wrongful in counting the case as ill. Only just yesterday he stopped his alarm bells by explaining that Cades are among persons who present for toothaches check ups and other ailments. UK today announced the end of public masking and pass code. The drafty early morning exit from warm house has all but the very diligent with a seasonal runny nose. Most countries have found it unscientific to boost boost boost boost test test test test a case a case a case a case a case. Canada and Australia are the Western leaning most advanced nations and are sticking with lockdowns and shots. Israel has all but called covid something we have to live with and also canceled vaccinated only green pass.
Posted 19 January 2022, 3:41 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
NEWS FLASH! The OMICRON variants have peaked in this country and the worst from these variants in this country is behind us. If fact Omicron infections have plateaued in many countries around the world and it is only countries, like the US with its vaccinate, vaccinate and re-vaccinate agenda that is still seeing increasing cases, even though it is now admitting that new infection numbers are starting to decline in the mid west part of that country. And some virologists are advising that the only way to get rid of the Covid-19 pandemic is to stop re-vaccinating recovered persons. The belief is the Omicron variants developed among vaccinated people and if vaccinations continue among recovered people, more variants will develop. Dr Fauci himself admits that the vaccines have zero effectiveness against the omicron strain and persons who get Rë vaccinated after recovering from Omicron have a protection rate barely around 50 percent. And some experts believe that every single person on the planet will eventually become infected with Omicron and those in authority should let nature take its course in this instance. Most of the rhetoric is fear mongering and vaccines drives.!
Posted 20 January 2022, 6:30 a.m. Suggest removal
John says...
There are many homes in New Providence where the entire household is at home recovering from Covid. Some families rented rooms at major resorts for the holidays , only to return home with everyone infected with Covid. In some instances, some family members got Covid on the job or elsewhere and brought it home and infected everyone else. And the reverse is true. Some people took Covid-19 to the job and infected coworkers. The key to beating Omicron is to maintain a strong immune system and avoid having to be hospitalized.
Posted 20 January 2022, 6:53 a.m. Suggest removal
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