National

COVID-19: The New Normal

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – March 15, 2023, marks three years since the first case of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, which was the start of a deadly pandemic, killing more than 800 people locally.

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2023

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – March 15, 2023 marks three years since the first case of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, which was the start of a deadly pandemic, killing more than 800 people locally. Years later the economy has managed to rebound and the virus seems to be under control.

On March 15, 2020, The Bahamas joined countries around the world when the unthinkable happened, the confirmation of the first case of the novel coronavirus.

It all went downhill from there, as the numbers continued to climb forcing the then-mMnnis administration to take action.

By March 17, 2020, a state of emergency was declared, the announcement followed by multiple lockdowns and curfews.

Another distant memory – lines outside grocery stores and other essential businesses.

A familiar face in the COVID-19 was the Director of the Infectious Disease Programme Dr. Nikkiah Forbes.

She admits it was a challenging time and that we’ve come a long way.

Three years later, the World Health Organization says The Bahamas recorded 37,491 COVID-19 cases and 833 deaths.

The economy has reopened, and the tourism product has bounced back.

According to Dr. Forbes, history shows that pandemics will happen and predicts more will come in the future.

But what can we do? Plan.

With the world still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Forbes is still calling on Bahamians to protect themselves with vaccination and consider personal responsibility.