CPSA Head: Election May Have Led to Island Spread

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An increase of COVID-19 cases and deaths on the Family Islands could be linked to campaign activity and the general election according to the Consultant Physician Staff Association President who called the uptick frightening.

Giorgio Bain reports. 

President of the Consultant Physician Staff Association, Dr. Sabriquet Pinder-Butler says the recent spike in covid 19 cases on some Family Islands is concerning, especially on islands that did not have cases or deaths.

She believes the recent uptick can be linked to the September 16th general election which saw an increase in campaign travel to those islands.

Several family islands have seen an increase in new Covid cases in recent weeks, even as countrywide numbers have decreased.

A total of 689 new cases were reported in a two week span this month, 133 of those cases were on Family Islands with 43 cases on Eleuthera and 29 on Long Island.

There were also 71 Covid related deaths during that two-week period – 2 on Inagua and Long Island and 1 on Eleuthera, Andros, Mayaguana and on Cat Island.

According to Pinder-Butler the loss of life on the family islands due to covid is significant and she believes many residents are choosing to self-medicate rather than seeking immediate medical attention.

Pinder-Butler says another frightening factor to consider is the state of healthcare facilities and manpower shortages on many Family Islands.

Pinder-Butler says health officials need to assess these Family Island cases to establish where the spread is occurring and the extent of illness in patients to determine the right course of treatment.

She said tighter restrictions should also be considered.

Reporting for Our News I’m Giorgio Bain.