Barbados has reaped success in flattening the COVID-19 curve due to measures instituted by Government to protect the quality of the lives of Barbadians, while containing the spread of the deadly pandemic.
COVID Czar, Richard Carter, maintained that the restrictions imposed were protective and not punitive, during a press conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday.
He added: “The data has shown, as the Minister of Health has indicated, that we have been successful thus far as a consequence of the restrictions and the adherence thereof to maintaining a level of containment over COVID-19 in Barbados.”
Mr. Carter revealed that for the month of May, 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, and, since the last directive was issued on May 17, the island recorded four cases – two imported and two cases of local transmission.
The COVID Czar pointed out that the cases were not indicative of a lack of testing and disclosed that as of May 27, 5,201 tests for COVID-19 were conducted, with 2,800 tests being carried out since the beginning of May alone.
Mr. Carter said that there were now nine persons in isolation and this accomplishment represented the first time the island was in the single digits in terms of cases, since March when the first was recorded.
“So, what we have been doing has been working and the numbers are demonstrated. I am happy that we have been able to come to a point where we have been able to gradually relax the restrictions. But every time I speak about this, I constantly remind persons that the relaxation is only insofar, as there is general compliance with the restrictions that are in place,” he emphasized.
Mr. Carter thanked Barbadians for the compliance they demonstrated regarding the COVID-19 restrictions that were implemented, and also praised the Muslim community for its compliance during the Celebration of Ramadan.
“I had no cause to speak specifically to a particular segment of the Barbadian population or the Muslim community because of the peculiarity of the Celebration of Ramadan and the observance of which normally, just like our Easter, would have had large numbers of persons in observance. Thankfully, I was able, because I went out and looked for myself, to see that, that compliance was generally speaking, adhered to. There were no large numbers, in fact the mosques were closed, there were no large numbers in the cemeteries as they customarily are.”
The COVID Czar continued: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the Muslim community and the broader community of Barbados for their compliance with the directives that have been put in place. I know there is a fascination with numbers … the only number that is important … is zero. We look forward to realizing that number in the coming months.”
