Status of Novel Coronavirus in The Bahamas

The data reported on the Novel Coronavirus as of today, using The Johns Hopkins School of Public Heath Chinese Coronavirus Dashboard, in real time, is 8,235 confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus of which 8,124 are on mainland China. Currently, there are 171 deaths.

Following the Level 3 travel advisory issued by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning the recent Coronavirus outbreak in China, along with travel restrictions in France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Jamaica and other sovereign nations, the Government of The Bahamas has implemented border control and quarantine measures, restricting all travel from China to The Bahamas. Effective immediately, any non-resident regardless of nationality who has visited China in the last 20 days will be denied entry into the country. All residents returning to The Bahamas will be strictly quarantined and monitored for development of symptoms for the duration of the incubation period with a maximum of 14 days.

The WHO’s current recommendation is against non-essential travel for persons to China at this time. The Ministry of Health, therefore, recommends that persons who MUST travel in that region, take precautions to protect themselves by avoiding direct contact with sick people and products that come from animals. Be diligent, pay attention and equip yourself with travel advisory information related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus before you travel. If during, or after your travel, symptoms of respiratory illness are experienced, you are encouraged to immediately contact a medical provider who will guide you as to your next steps. Be ready to give your full travel history to health care providers. As mentioned, all persons returning to The Bahamas from China will be quarantined.

As the information pertaining to this coronavirus is constantly being updated, the Ministry of Health is ensuring that the public remains informed via traditional and social media. The aim is to provide families and all citizens of The Bahamas with the necessary information to protect their well-being. Please ensure that you are receiving your information from credible and reliable sources.

Ongoing surveillance of our borders is critical. Monitoring at all our ports in New Providence and the Family Islands have been enhanced via multiagency collaborations. Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) and other major ports of entry are linked to our National Communicable Disease Surveillance Unit via a twenty-four-hour port surveillance officer contact. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that we have ample quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the front line staff, and the capacity for laboratory testing is in place.

I would like to reiterate that currently, there have been no suspected, reported or confirmed cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in The Bahamas.

Common signs of infection with this virus involve respiratory symptoms including -

• fever;
• cough;
• shortness of breath; and • breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause:

• pneumonia;
• severe respiratory distress; • kidney failure; and
• even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of this infection include:

• frequent, proper hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer;

• covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

  preferably with the elbow and sleeve;

• thoroughly cooking meat and eggs; and

• avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of

  respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
   

TREATMENT