Darville: We are in Fourth Wave

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On the heels of record COVID cases over the holiday weekend, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville says The Bahamas is officially experiencing the fourth wave of infections. He pleaded with Bahamians to act responsibly before the situation takes a turn for the worst.

The Bahamas recently recorded an alarming spike in COVID cases.

A record 330 COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Christmas Day – the most cases confirmed on any single day since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Between Thursday and Sunday, 665 cases were confirmed, more than the total recorded in the entire month of November.

Darville says while hospital numbers remain relatively low and symptoms related to the more transmissible omicron variant appear to be mild, the government is preparing for the worst-case scenario.

In response to the surge in cases, the Ministry of Health and Wellness announced all approvals for large events and gatherings will no longer be granted and that existing approvals will immediately be suspended.

The Public Hospitals Authority has also announced that Princess Margaret Hospital has implemented restrictions like suspending elective surgeries, restricting all patient visitations and only allowing emergency patients at the emergency department.

Meantime, Dr. Darville says vaccination remains a critical component of the COVID fight and encouraged more Bahamians to get the jab.

He says the government will also roll out its free testing pilot program in New Providence in the coming days.