Testing down 55 percent

The Bahamas experienced a 55 percent decline in COVID-19 testing between November 1 and 23 when compared to the same period in October.

The analysis, which was conducted by The Nassau Guardian, is based on data presented by the Ministry of Health in its daily COVID dashboards.

The ministry reported the completion of 12,866 tests between October 1 and 23 and 5,784 tests during that same period in November.

In the first and second weeks of October, more than 2,500 tests were completed each week.

In the third week, there were 7,378 tests recorded, although many of those represented tests taken previously. The Ministry of Health noted on October 18, that due to receipt of negative results from laboratories and a data cleansing exercise, an additional 3,907 tests were added to the total number of tests completed in country.

In the first and second weeks of November, more than 1,800 tests were completed each week.

In the third week, 1,785 tests were completed.

The Bahamas reported its first COVID-19 case on March 15, and has reported 7,460 cases in the months that followed. The majority of those cases were reported since July.

Health officials confirmed 2,132 new cases last month and 701 cases in November. 

This represented a 67 percent decrease in new cases.

The decline followed the implementation of an increased curfew and weekend lockdowns on New Providence and Abaco on October 9.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced the restrictions on October 7 following a spike in cases on the islands.

Between September 7 and October 7, the number of cases on New Providence increased from 1,667 to 3,545.

On Abaco, it increased from 86 to 157.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/testing-down-55-percent/