Bahamas Among Highest Hospitalization Increase

Pan American Health Organization Director Dr. Carissa Etienne highlights The Bahamas as one of the countries in the region whose healthcare system is being severely challenged by a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The paho director’s comments come as covid-19 infections accelerate not only in the bahamas but across the region and as the highly transmissible omicron variant has been detected in at least 42 countries and territories in the region.

While it has not been confirmed by a lab, Ministry of Health officials have said since last month they believe the Omicron variant is behind a record-breaking spike in local Covid-cases that has led to thousands of infections.

And the medical community has not gone unscathed by the fourth wave as more than 100 healthcare workers taken out of the health care system earlier this moth after catching Covid or being exposed to Covid positive patients.

The PAHO director says the same is happening across the region. Dr. Etienne has called on countries to ensure health workers have access to protective equipment.