Five more cases on Bimini

Three and a half weeks after a Bimini woman with COVID-19 died, health officials on Saturday reported another five cases on the small northern Bahamian island with a population of around 2,000.

In total, Bimini accounts for eight of the 80 cases that have been confirmed in The Bahamas; last week, a Bimini couple — a 78-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman — were reported to have COVID-19.

The most recently confirmed Bimini cases are all females — ages 11, 15, 37, 47 and 75.

Asked last night whether the five new cases have a direct link to Kim Johnson-Rolle, who died late last month after being airlifted to New Providence, Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands could not confirm.

Sands said health officials were investigating to see if the cases are linked through residents attending funerals on Bimini on March 22 and March 29. The Bahamas was already under a state of emergency and a curfew had been imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Regarding the funerals, Sands said, “At this point, we have not been able to make that connection. Bear in mind, these other cases would just have been diagnosed and confirmed [on Saturday].”

According to the minister, fewer than 20 people are in quarantine in Bimini.

As officials investigated the possible links among the Bimini cases, Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe yesterday called for a complete two-week shutdown of the island and increased testing.

“The increase in the COVID-19 cases in Bimini is troubling,” she said.

“I am concerned and so is the entire community. This increase clearly demonstrates that we are challenged in spite of all the guidelines given, information shared and steps taken.

“We are calling for a complete shutdown of Bimini, and more stringent measures.

“Our appeal has been voiced nationally and to all relevant authorities. Further reinforcement by all government agencies from law enforcement to social services is needed.”

She added, “We need Bimini to completely shut down, and we are asking for May 1st to May 15th for it to happen.”

Parker-Edgecombe said up to press time yesterday, 41 people had been tested on the island.

She is pushing for increased testing in both north and south Bimini.

“We are not taking this matter lightly and at this point, strongly encourage persons in Bimini to stay inside and practice social distancing.”

Sands said there will be some changes to the handling of the situation on Bimini this week.

“Bear in mind that between Bimini and Cat Cay, they have had more testing than anywhere in The Bahamas.

“…We have done almost 400 tests in an area that has [fewer] than 2,500 people.”

 Officials reported that the five females who recently tested positive for COVID-19 were all in home isolation.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health said a 49-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman, both of New Providence, are the two latest confirmed cases.

They, too, were in home isolation.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/04/27/five-more-cases-on-bimini/