COVID 19 UPDATES
The following comment inspired the blogmaster to expand the focus on data collection and discussion about the COVID 19 pandemic. Thanks to @Lyall@Amit
Blogmaster
David; re. your 4:41 am post;
You are correct but I have indeed considered that cohort of the population.
The reason that the US experts are beating the drum for testing, testing and more testing is to get a handle on what proportion of the general public has been compromised by the virus in any way and has left its signatures in body fluids including blood in the population. The virus is shed from the infected body as the disease is brought under control. When it is controlled it has been found that it takes around 7 days for all particles to be shed from the body. Infected persons are released back into the community when they test negative twice over a period of 2 days.
Barbados, like all of our island neighbours, did or does not have access to large numbers of tests and had to use what we had very sparingly. Thus, the only measure that we had for gauging the incidence of the virus in the population (and a very imperfect one, at that) might be by comparing the evidence of infection levels hinted at by a comparison of the graphs of the progress of the various Covid-19 outbreaks in our Islands.
Most of the world was in the same position as the Caribbean and used the data obtained by the minimal testing of infected people and their contacts and their contacts to produce the graphs we see on such sites as WHO and Worldometer etc. All these graphs give an imperfect picture and significant underestimation of infection levels in the county or country in which the tests are carried out, but, since they are carried out in the same way in each country they might provide some rationale for guesstimating the comparative levels of the infection in various groups of countries.
The data shows that, starting out at essentially the same levels, there was some divergence in relation to the rate of infection and therefore progress of the various outbreaks in various countries. The graphs for Barbados showed low and declining levels of infection from the beginning, peaking at the level of 13 positive cases per day and thereafter showing a slowly declining trend. The individuals who would have contributed to the declining trend would have been primarily from the contact testing but should also have included other individuals referred by Health professionals or who presented themselves to Government institutions because of concern that their symptoms might point to untimely death due to the dread Covid-19.
Amit, in an earlier post on this blog, reported on his initiative of graphing Covid-19 incidence over weekly periods throughout the epidemic, in several Caribbean Islands. If David thinks it is appropriate and Amit agrees I can post a subset of graphs clipped from his data for 6 Caribbean territories which I think could illustrate some of what I have presented above.
There was 1 more positive case announced today as well as 1 death. A slight uptick of the daily cases line is indicated in the graph by the blue line. The total cumulative number of positive cases from the tests carried out yesterday is 76 – Llyall Small
Attached is the updated C-19 graph for 2020-04-23. There were no additional positive cases from yesterday’s tests and therefore cumulative positive cases remain at 76 – Lyall Small
Two new positive cases were identified from yesterday’s tests. There are now 5 cases of contacts with a previously identified individual. The 5 cases are workers from a Government Institution. Tests are ongoing today (25 April 2020) – Lyall Small
Updated graph for 26 April 2020. No new +ve cases were found. Cumulative count is still 79 – Lyall Small
There was one additional +ve case identified today (27 April 2020) from the last tranche of NAB workers moving the cumulative total cases to 80. The graph is still essentially trending downwards – Lyallsmall
Graphing Covid-19 incidence in several Caribbean Islands – Source data: caribbeansignal.com
Cuhdear Bajan,
God is good! I enjoy having a sista in torment! Lol
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Thanks Donna.
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Wunna know that i am not politically partisan. I don’t care ’bout “B”, nor “D”, but I am here wondering if these nurses had come in from the United Kingdom, or any other European country, or from Canada or the United States if I would be hearing such nasty remarks. I am wondering if some of wunna are not racist against the people of Ghana. If these nurses were blond haired and blue eyed I doubt that the nastiness would be aroused in some ‘o wunna. But the ladies and gentlemen from Ghana look like us. They look like our brothers and sisters, and girlfriends and boyfriends, and husbands and wives. They look like our sons and daughters. The look like our grandchildren.
Ghana has a population of 31,072,940 people and has had 37,000 cases of Covid19 and 182 deaths. The case fatality ratio for Ghana is 0.5%, and the number of deaths per 100,000 people is 0.61.
The United Kingdom has a population of 67,886,004 people, and has had 306,309 cases of covid19, 46,286 deaths. The case fatality ratio for the United Kingdom is 15.1%, and that country has had 69.61 deaths for every hundred thousand of population.
Ghana has been excellent in its response to covid19, better than Barbados, and hugely better than any country in North America or Europe.
THIS CANNOT BE REFUTED.
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I have heard that almost half of the nurses are men. I hope that these men will be an example to some of our young men. That some of our young men will see nursing as the noble profession that it is. That they will realize that it is work with a regular pay cheque, that it is work that affords the opportunity to raie a family and enjoy the benefits of good family life.
I welcome the men and women from Ghana. And i wish that instead of 50 of our young men killing another 50 last year, that all 50 dead men, and all 50 imprisoned men of them had gone into nursing instead.
Nothing at all wrong with nice steady work. And work that is portable across borders, and that provides opportunities to grow and to travel.
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Thailand which has a population almost exactly the same size as the United Kingdom, and which has a huge tourist industry, so lots of going back and forth and lots of mixing up, and whose border lies within 100 kilometers of China has had:
3,320 COVID9 cases
58 deaths
While the United Kingdom, thousands of miles from China, and with essentially the same size population has had:
307,251 cases
46,295 deaths
If Barbados had done as badly, we all know who would be on BU morning, noon and night, hollerin’ ’bout about incompetence and the self described “Bajan Condition”
But on U.K. incompetence, a loud-loud-loud-loud silence.
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I would send any nurse from anywhere from any race who boarded that plane without a negative test back where they came from.
I was actually pleased to hear about the recruitment from Ghana but this is not an auspicious start.
I hope that the nurses have time for more than nursing us. Cultural exchange would be nice.
I too take issue with those who automatically question their qualifications. I wonder to what condition we can attribute that.
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Some rather overlook the burden of responsibilty and head down a simplistic path
The fact that two govts Ghana and Barbados working together within one purpose
Then at the last minute a disaster occurs goes to several things Trust accountability and transparency
Which begs of several questions towards how could Ghana over looked this huge mistake
Why did Barbados govt take for granted any necessary information handed to the them by the Ghana govt
Why didn’t Barbados send a medical team to Ghana to do their own investigating
Saying that mistakes happen is a mistake to say on this horrible mess
Diligence transparency and accountability would have avoided this embarrassing disaster
In meanwhile those who cant help to defend the after math actions of this govt on this issue needs to sit down shut up and get out of the way
People of your ilk invites trouble
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Why would you send back the nurses Donna? Then and now the Barbados government does not require people from medium risk countries such as Ghana to have a negative test before arrival. If they are unable to get a test in their home countries they will be tested on arrival in Barbados.
So the nurses have followed OUR rules.
We Bajans too like punishment, even when persons have done absolutely no wrong.
And looka I did thinking that massa day did dun d’ed and that we could put away the cow skin whip.
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The Ghananian nurses given what they are brought here to do cannot/should not be treated like regular travellers.
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David it was always intended that the nurses from Ghana just like the ones from Cuba would be quarantined for 14 days anyhow, so what is the difference? It was NEVER intended that they be thrown directly into the wards or polyclinics.
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We have had 24 cases of covid-19 over the last few days. All were imported.
This should serve as a salutary lesson to the government of Barbados. The importation of these nurses must be postponed. Twelve nurses from ninety five have tested positive! This is an unmitigated disaster! I apportion part of the blame to our very naïve government; however the Government of Ghana must bear a large responsibility for this disaster.
The government of Barbados dropped its guard, perhaps it was too focused on photo-ops, PR and indulging the government of Ghana. The Ghanaian nurses, overnight, have become stigmatised and may struggle to overcome the mistrust and lack of faith of the locals may have in them.
We have opened up to Africa and this is what we get.
What of the other cases? We should not open up the country to tourists; especially if they are not prepared to be quarantined for a minimum of one month.
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@Simple Simon
Is there a group of government officials at the airport to meet and greet regular travelers to our shores?
>
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The nurses, given the significance of the occasion, should ALL have been tested and confirmed as negative.
Now trust has been damaged. The first actions of those we invited to heal us is to potentially make us sick????
These were not your average visitors.
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It has just been reported that The Bahamas is going to go under complete lockdown for a period of two weeks.
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@TLSN
Has the Barbados government ever published its CoVid epidemiological model?
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re Has the Barbados government ever published its CoVid epidemiological model?
WHY SHOULD IT?
WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD THAT MAKE?
WOULD YOU UNDERSTAND IT ANYWAY? WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO ADD TO OR IMPROVE IT?
WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT WHAT EVER MODEL THAT IS BEING USED HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
DOES BU EXIST FOR BETZPAENIC IDIOTS TO EFFLUX THEIR CONCENTRATED IGNORANCE FROM THE REGIONS OF THEIR SHELVES OF HOUSTON?
WHY IS NOISE BEING MADE BY THE USUAL BU KNOW IT ALLS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM HAS EFFECTIVELY CAUGHT POSITIVF TESTS IN THE GHANIAN NURSES?
SHOULD WE NOT BE REJOICING THAT THE DESIGNED SYSTEMS AND PROTOCOLS ARE WORKING?
PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT GHANIAN NURSES HAVE BEEN IMPORTED TO THE USA ALSO. MET SOME AT FAMILY BIBLE HOUR LAST YEAR AS THERE IS A HOSTEL NEARBY WHERE IMPORTED NURSES ARE ACCOMMODATED FOR INDUCTION INTO THE US SYSTEM
AS A YOUTH ONE SOUGHT TO GET THE CARTOONS IN THE SUNDAY PAPERS
TODAY, ONE READS BU TO READ THE CONCENTRATED BOVINE EXCREMENT LAVISHLY PRESENTED BY A FEW .
WE SEEM TO HAVE MANY THAT SEEM THAT THEIR JOB ON BU IS TO CONTRADICT EVERY AND ANYTHING IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE HOW BRIGHT THEY ARE.
SIMPLY HILARIOUS!
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The epidemiological model is maths, not medicine. As to understanding it, I may not, but I know someone who may.
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How would the model be relevant if Barbafos had zero reported cases until recently?
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let it be known that epidemiology is considered a basic medical science
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re Critical AnalyzerAugust 2, 2020 9:54 AM
https://c19study.com/
@GP
Being the medical professional you are, I suspect you along with Robert Lucas will enjoy digging into the information from this site most of all.
I HAVE NOTED YOUR POST AND THE INFO……..THANKS
I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT DR LUCAS HAS WISELY REMOVED HIMSELF FROM THE FRAY HERE ON BU, JUST AS I HAVE TRIED TO DO
BU HAS GIVEN MANY A VOICE TO INFORM, AND ASK QUESTIONS OF THOSE WHO CAN ENLIGHTEN US
I CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN ENLIGHTENED BY THOSE OBVIOUS PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE POSTED THROUGH THE YEARS
BUT I CAN NOT SEE MUCH POINT IN WRANGLING WITH BETZPAENICS
RE How would the model be relevant if BarbaDos had zero reported cases until recently?
WHAT EVER THE MODEL USED—–THERE WILL BE CASES FROM TIME TO TIME. THAT IS THE NATURE OF DISEASE. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT EXCEPT TO KEEP UP THE PROPHYLACTIC PROTOCOLS
WHAT EVER THE MODEL USED- WE SEEM TO BE DOING MOST THINGS CORRECTLY
WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR THAT, AND BE HAPPY THAT WE DONT HAVE A FEW ELIJAH’S WITH THE ABILITY TO CALL DOWN FIRE FROM HEAVEN UPON MORONS WHO SPEAK OUT OF TURN, AND ARE UNWILLING TO LISTEN AND LEARN BECAUSE OF THEIR BIASES
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WE SEEM TO HAVE MANY THAT SEEM THAT THEIR JOB ON BU IS TO CONTRADICT EVERY AND ANYTHING IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMONSTRATE HOW BRIGHT THEY ARE. SIMPLY HILARIOUS! {Quote}
@ GP
I was saying the same thing myself. Here we have a man who comes with a lot of highfalutin jargon to make everybody feel he is the most intelligent man on BU and knows everything about everything.
I saw him saying on another blog that the Cave Shepherd model is flawed (HE DIDN’T EXPLAIN HOW) and some other shyte talk bout innovative financial engineering and shadow banks. Didn’t shadow banks play a role in the 2008 economic downturn? Why would CS need the application of mathematical methods to go from being a department store to the mall concept, where CS don’t own most of the businesses in there? So what he really trying to tell we is that CS need financial engineering to know how to COLLECT RENT?
if the world is in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, why Barbados should have a special COVID-19 epidemiological model to guide we to formulating we own public policy when the disease attacked all the countries in the same way and we could follow the worldwide public policy and protocols that were based on a worldwide epidemiological model?
Pharmaceutical interventions such as vaccinations and antiviral drugs aren’t available now, we got to address the disease by depending on the successful implementation of public health measures including social distancing, shelter in place orders, disease surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, just like all the rest of the countries in the world.
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@ Hal,
I can’t answer your question. What I do know is that we in the Caribbean – to date – have done an excellent job in keeping out COVID-19 unlike the UK and the USA. Unfortunately all this good work will unravel once we open our doors to tourists.
What alarms me is that we appear intent on reopening our tourism industry irrespective of the health of our citizens. Apart from PLT’S input not one government minister has proposed alternatives to to tourism.
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@TLSN
It seems as if the Caribbean has done really well. The modelling will help us to understand how we got where we are. I am interested in the maths, not the public health. Models can conflict as you know ie Oxford v Imperial v LHHTM. Informing the public is not a bad thing. The BBC has done a brilliant programme on the rival models.
The problem in the UK with hot spots (note the geography of these hot spots) is that certain communities (and young people) seem to think that advice does not apply to them and refuse to wear facial masks, keep social distances and sanitise. They worry me a great deal. The US is beyond me.
By the way, the central bank does not publish its modelling either, or I cannot seem to find it on their website. Every major central bank publishes theirs.
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What is the point of looking at a model if 99% of our cases were tracked to the indexed case? You need to stop, honestly.
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@GP August 4, 2020 10:28 AM “WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT WHAT EVER MODEL THAT IS BEING USED HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL… THE SYSTEM HAS EFFECTIVELY CAUGHT POSITIVF TESTS IN THE GHANIAN NURSES?
SHOULD WE NOT BE REJOICING THAT THE DESIGNED SYSTEMS AND PROTOCOLS ARE WORKING? WHAT EVER THE MODEL USED—–THERE WILL BE CASES FROM TIME TO TIME. THAT IS THE NATURE OF DISEASE. NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT EXCEPT TO KEEP UP THE PROPHYLACTIC PROTOCOLS WHAT EVER THE MODEL USED- WE SEEM TO BE DOING MOST THINGS CORRECTLY”
Thanks Dr. GP for your usual good medical sense.
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I happen to know one of the UWI modellers, like Dr. GP, Harrison College, Barbados scholar or exhibitioner [I can’t remember which] UWI trained physician and teacher of physicians, successfully competed for other scholarships, Christian, loyal to Barbados and its people. Can work anywhere in the world, but chooses to work for us and with us.
We are truly blessed.
I am grateful.
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No! should not be rejoicing that 12 nurses leaving Ghana brought the virus to barbados
That much is comfort to a fool Also what about the front line workers and ministers plus people travelling on the plane who mingled with them
This is a horrible mistep which should have been detected before these nurses step foot on an aeroplane
Just imagine the horror of knowing that you might have been one of the workers who interacted with them and even not knowing that the result was dire after mixing with friends and family members
In a court of law these actions by both govts would be called gross negligence
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No! should not be rejoicing that 12 nurses leaving Ghana brought the virus to barbados {Quote}
@ Mari
Okay, okay, okay. Yuh make yuh POINT already!
So what you trying to PROVE by coming with the SAME shyte argument over and over and over again, when everybody done agree that the nurses shouldn’t have come here without being tested and putting Bajans at risk?
Cone on, enough is enough.
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THE NURSES FROM GHANA HAVE NOT PUT BAJANS AT RISK ANYMORE THAN ANYONE ELSE FLYING INTO BARBADOS RECENTLY
THE NURSES WERE TESTED ON ARRIVAL IN BIM AND QUARANTINED
NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON THE PUBLIC IN A HODGE PODGE SLAP DASH WILLY NILLY FASHION, AS IS OBVIOUSLY THE STATE OF THE BIDEN-ESQUE BRAIN OF SOME DETRACTORS.
IT SEEMS THAT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH CHECKS AND BALANCES ARE WORKING WELL
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Gp if what u say is true why was there a need to quaratine members of the press and ministers who were in close contact
You sound like a Trump clone his reasoning and yours are exactly alike on this subject
No need to answer i get it
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Q.why was there a need to quaratine members of the press and ministers who were in close contact
A. SIMPLE! GOOD PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE! THESE FOLK BECAME IN CONTACT WITH PERSONS WHO WERE POSITIVE. GOOD PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE NECESSITATED THAT THEY BE QUARANTINED, SO IT WAS DONE.
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President Trump just said the virus was under control
Just in like manner GP tried to convince that the Ghana nurses was not as much as a treat than anyone else
Never mind these nurses were to be placed within our health care system
Boy yuh tell yuh Gp yuh drinking too much of Trump koolaid
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TO ANGELAS COLE IN ALL YOUR VARIOUS NOMENCLATURES
UNLIKE YOU AND TRUMP, I BENEFITED FROM THE GOOD EDUCATION OFFERED IN BARBADOS
I WAS TRAINED AS A PHYSICIAN AND PRACTICED PUBLIC HEALTH, AND UNDERSTAND OF WHICH I SPEAK. I DO NOT DRINK KOOLAID OF ANY KIND.
THE FACTS ARE THAT SINCE OUR YOUNG FEMALES IN BARBADOS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE GOOD EDUCATION THEY OBTAINED IN BARBADOS, CAN ASPIRE TO LOFTIER HEIGHTS THAN TEACHING SCHOOL AND NURSING, AS IN THE PAST, AND BECAUSE MANY WHO WERE TRAINED AS NURSES HAVE MIGRATED, WE NOW HAVE TO IMPORT NURSES BECAUSE WE HAVE A SHORTAGE.
MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE GHANIAN NURSES I MET LAST YEAR IS THAT THEY ARE SEVERAL NURSING SCHOOLS IN GHANA, AND THUS A SURPLUS OF NURSES.
THE NURSES IMPORTED FROM GHANA ARE MOST LIKELY TRAINED VIA THE ENGLISH SYSTEM BY WHICH WE TRAIN OUR NURSES. I AM CONFIDENT THEREFORE THAT THEY ALL HAVE MORE SENSE THAN ANGELA COLE, AND WILL MOST LIKELY ACQUIT THEMSELVES WELL IN BIM
WHEREAS A FEW OF THE NURSES WHO ARRIVED IN BIM HAD POSITIVE TESTS FOR COVID VIRUS, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM WAS ABLE TO PICK THIS UP BEFORE THEY ENTERED THE SERVICE.
LET US THANK GOD THAT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE IS MORE COMPETENT IN DETECTING AND DEALING WITH PERSONS ENTERING OUR SHORES WITH COVID THAN BU DAVID KING IS, IN ELIMINATING BETZPAENIC MEMBERS OF THE LOWLIEST OF THE EQUINOIDS, WHO DISPLAY THEIR IGNORANCE AND ILLOGIC HERE DAILY, AND HAVE DONE SO FOR YEARS.
UNFORTUNATELY HE DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT BEFORE ONE POSTS ON BU, THAT SOME TESTS BE DONE FOR BASIC COMPREHENSION SKILLS OR AND THAT SOME TESTS BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAIN CELLS OF SOME HAVE NOT UNDERGONE SEVERE METAPLASIA TO RECTAL MUCOSA.
NO ONE IS STOPPING YOU FROM HATING AND CRITIQUING MUTTLEY AND THE BLP, BUT WE ARE AMAZED THAT YOUR BIASED BRAIN IS SO FULL OF FAECOLITHS THAT YOU CAN NOT ASCERTAIN OR ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN THEY HAVE DONE ANYTHING CORRECTLY, OR THAT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES HAVE BOUNCED BACK TO WHERE THEY USED TO BE, AND THERE IS NO LONGER REAL SHIT IN THE ROADS OF WORTHING .
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Ok Trump
Your brain is so full of that crap yuh touting as a cure that your understanding of reality is clouded with jobby
The reality lies in keeping the virus out of Barbados
Why do u think govts around the world has closed down their borders to hot spots
If Govt cares about the security of its health system as well as the people
Those nurses would not have landed in barbados
But Leave it up to your so called intelligence to pursue a dangerous path instead of a path that calls for prevention
Prevention by a call for due diligence between these govts
Here is a person who fights tooth and nail against homosexuality on the grounds because of their sexual preference a preference that causes no immediate harm to a society
However sounds off with an acceptance of having contaminated nurses reach barbados soil
Speaking of hypocrisy yuh got to be a Trump clone
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Close the borders and suck salt. If the world never finds a vaccine or therapeutic treatment for Covid 19 then what? Barbados is entirely dependent on tourism and international services. Criticizing for the sake of it accomplishes what?
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POLITICS SHOULD NOT SUPERCEDE PROPER HEALTH SCIENCE
https://lifeandlibertynews.com/2020/08/04/these-two-charts-could-send-dr-fauci-to-prison/
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Ghana Web
The Ghanaian nurses arrived in Barbados on Thursday, July 30, 2020 through a chartered flight, Azores Airlines on a special programme between the two governments.
They are made up of 49 women and 46 men, who have signed on to assist with healthcare in the Caribbean country.
They were met by the Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, newly-installed Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins and Executive Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, with salutes and elbow bumps.
The Health Minister said while their arrival was a long time in coming, he was glad they had finally landed.
“These nurses will be working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital as well as the primary healthcare sector, that is the Geriatric Hospitals and polyclinics,” he said.
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Barbados and small island nations are too dependent on tourism
Watching the people suck salt and knowning that the people deserves better might bring govt to a righteous understanding that tourism is not the be all of building an economy
If all countries around the world had pursue that path they too would be living on shi.tty street
Small island govts are lazy thinkers having one goal in mind to be elected
The Governing body of Caricom nincompoops called leaders are a typical example of lazy thinkers
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@Mariposa August 4, 2020 6:02 PM “Your brain is so full of that crap yuh touting as a cure that your understanding of reality is clouded with jobby. The reality lies in keeping the virus out of Barbados. Why do u think govts around the world has closed down their borders to hot spots. If Govt cares about the security of its health system as well as the people
Those nurses would not have landed in barbados.”
Except that Ghana is NOT a COVID1 hotspot.
Ghana’s rate of Vovid19 is significantly lower than that of Barbados.
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@Mariposa August 4, 2020 6:43 PM
Does your statement include your friends in the DLP also?
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Mariposa,
Your COVID-19 harangue will not gain traction. The COVID-19 statistics are not in alignment with your pronouncements.
Take a good look at the COVID graphs of lyallsmall. Listen to the world news and how COVID-19 is ravaging bigger and more developed countries. e.g. USA, England, Brazil, Mexico
You are attacking in an area where they have a great deal of success. You are highlighting their success. They are probably praying that you do not drop this bone of yours.
Find a next horse to beat and leave that dead horse alone.
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Cuhdear Bajan “Ghana has a population of 31,072,940 people and has had 37,000 cases of Covid19 and 182 deaths. The case fatality ratio for Ghana is 0.5%, and the number of deaths per 100,000 people is 0.61. The United Kingdom has a population of 67,886,004 people, and has had 306,309 cases of covid19, 46,286 deaths. The case fatality ratio for the United Kingdom is 15.1%, and that country has had 69.61 deaths for every hundred thousand of population. Ghana has been excellent in its response to covid19, better than Barbados, and hugely better than any country in North America or Europe. THIS CANNOT BE REFUTED.
The United Kingdom has a population of 63,182,178. Has had 307,251 cases of Covid19, and 46,295 deaths, 15.1% of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 69.63 dead people per 100,000 of population.
The United States has a population of 328,239,523. Has had 4,713,540 cases of Covid19, and 155,402 deaths, 3.3% of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 47.50 dead people per 100,000 of population.
Canada has a population of 37,971,020. Has had 132 cases of Covid19, and 7 deaths, 5.3% of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 2.44 dead people per 100,000 of population.
Barbados has a population of 287,025 . Has had 132 cases of Covid19, and 7 deaths, 5.3 % of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 2.44 dead people per 100,000 of population.
Ghana has a population of 31,072,940 . Has had 37,812 cases of Covid19, and 191 deaths, 0.5 % of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 0.64 dead people per 100,000 of population.
FACTS.
CANNOT BE REFUTED
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https://www.paho.org/en/news/4-8-2020-paho-director-warns-disruptions-regular-health-services-due-covid-19
PAHO Director warns of disruptions in regular health services due to COVID-19
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@Simple Simon
Can you zoom in with your analysis on Florida and New York?
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The nurses from Ghana are here to take care of us…take care of Mariposa too.
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@Simple Simon
Do you think we would have had the same reaction if the nurses originated from a non African country?
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@Simple Simon
Give us your view of this event which appeared in today’s Nation newspaper in a COVID 19 world.
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Well David I am reading that it was supposed to be a “family affair” but except for Verla [Verla and my boy Rossi, lol!, politics so sweet] I am only seeing big men there. Men defines family now? The big men and the political class eat all de food and lef’ out the li’l children?
Dear David: You know already that I don’t have the time of day for foolish irresponsible men, and even less time for foolish, irresponsible men who behave as though they are invincible against a virus.
As my grandmother, may she continue to rest in peace would have said.
Le’ dem galong.
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David did you show my boy Greene the Deacon’s breakfast picture?
And if you did, wha’ he say?
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His mind is made up.
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@ GP
STABLE GENIUS
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@SS
Those Cdn numbers are VERY wrong. The country has done relatively well but not that well.
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Dear Northern:
Thanks for pointing out my errors. Here is the correction
Canada has a population of 37,971,020. Has had 118,973 cases of Covid19, and 8995 deaths, 7.6 % of the people who got COVID19, died. The death rate is 24.27 dead people per 100,000 of population.
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@ David
The ‘resident butterfly’ has been an ardent critic of this BLP administration’s handling of COVID-19.
Perhaps she has seen the above photos in which members and supporters of the DLP, its president, Verla DePeiza, and potential candidate for St. Michael North-West, Ryan Walters, are ‘partying’ in Deacon’s Road. It is interesting to see Verla and Walters mingling in the crowd, while people are ‘partying and jumping up in one another’……… ‘and NOT a boy’ ain’t WEARING a MASK.
After all the criticisms and concerns Verla expressed about ‘government’s’ handling of COVID-19, I thought she would have been a bit more cautious….. and ‘set an example’ as a leader, by adhering to the protocols and wear a mask.
But then again. the photos were probably taken at the time refreshments were being served.
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Proof that the COVID-19 talk of some is just hot air or the work of wordsmiths.
Not in a position to implement policy, and failing to use the only tool in their toolchest – modeling appropriate behavior for a COVID-19 world.
Perhaps, they will sync their words and actions as the elections get closer.
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Gazzert it is obvious u dont follow any other social media outlets
I am referencing your statement about traction on this ongoing issue about the Ghana nurses
Fortunately on other social media platforms this issue has gained plenty traction
Apparently when u placed eyes on BU your omnious view tells u that this platform is up to date with other nagging issues in Barbados and here is where it begins and where it ends
If only u knew how wrong u are
BU has now become the rabbit hole where people of your ilk chooses to head down
Carry on smartly
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Now seeing that crop pic of Verla mixing amongst a crowd
Yes criticism is necessary when the general public breaks the rule for in favour of self engagement
However Verla is not in leadership management and one who makes the rules and implement the rules and guidlines on COVID
Those in the position of so making the laws cannot afford to be seen breaking the laws which they implemented and assigned to the citizens yet talk of wheeling the hands of power upon citizens
As of a couple days ago the Czar harassed small business for not following the guidlines issuing threats of closure
Meanwhile the Cliff restaurant had a big named party event where pictures of even PM was shown not wearing a mask
Yes without doubt Verla should be wearing a mask but equally so and of more importance those in govt who made the ground rules should be first to set the examples
Leaders lead
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Gazzerts there is another world out there where other voices are being heard
U would not see or hear these voices on BU
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1205588679774680&id=100009706784204
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BNA happy with Ghanaian nurses
THE ARRIVAL of the Ghanaian nurses is a welcome drop in the bucket, says Barbados Nurses’ Association (BNA) president Joannah Waterman.
“The BNA welcomes the arrival of the Ghanaian nurses, our sisters and brothers from the west continent of Africa and congratulate the Health Minister Jeffrey Bostic and the Government of Barbados for bringing this to fruition, after much agitation from the BNA regarding the serious deficit in nursing personnel [in Barbados],” she said, adding “we are only just beginning”.
Waterman said there were 1 015 registered nurses in Barbados, with a deficit of around 400, so the 95 Ghanaians represented only about 24 per cent of what was needed.
She said the problem was an expansion of health care offerings without the requisite increase in nurses, adding that the expansion of several services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), such as cardiovascular services and high dependency units; HIV/AIDS services and psychiatry services at the polyclinics; the opening of the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex and the 24-hour urgent care service all placed additional strain on an already understaffed field. However, she said there were even more factors involved.
“We’ve also had high failure rates at the Barbados Community College for the past ten to 12 years . . . [though this has improved]. In addition, we have the constant migration of nurses dissatisfied with working conditions; retirement and the [cross migration] to other departments and areas,” she said,
adding the 100 Cuban nurses already here did not count as they were here only for a short time to assist with COVID cases.
Despite the low numbers, Waterman said the Ghanaian nurses were well qualified and would be a boon to the country.
“We fully embrace our Ghanaian colleagues and are fully satisfied their qualifications meet our requirements. Their transcripts and documents were analysed by senior nursing personnel who were a part of the delegation to Ghana and our regulatory body here has done the assessment of their curriculum and it is up to par.”(CA)
Source: Nation Newspaper
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The above is a poor and self serving excuse for allowing the virus to come on shores
Unless one has known of some one who had the virus or have come in close contact with a person who had the virus the self serving views serves no purpose
Better if they sit down and shut up
Today a simple cough can be cause for alarm
The Psychological imprint of this virus is also a aside effect just the mention of being around someone with the symptoms can be nerve racking
Placing people in the path of danger is suicidal policies
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This editorial is especially for kunckleheads like Gazzert and GP read and sallow
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Home / Editorial / #BTEditorial – The Ghanaian nurses saga – dodging the bullet
#BTEditorial – The Ghanaian nurses saga – dodging the bullet – by Barbados Today August 5, 2020
Appalling.
That is the only way to sum up the fact that nine Ghanaian nurses who arrived from the African nation last Thursday have tested positive for the highly infectious COVID-19 virus, possibly endangering media, airport workers, Government ministers, the executive chairman of our main primary health care institution, among others.
As this editorial is being written, our Minister of Health Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic and newly appointed Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins have been forced into isolation for the next few days before they undergo tests for exposure to the illness.
We wish only the very best to both senior government ministers and all those who may have been in contact with the group. But this, we are convinced, was an avoidable situation. The world has been in the grips of the worse health crisis of our lifetime over the last six months. The United States is heading for almost 5 million COVID-19 cases, India and Brazil are also leading the globe in infections.
While many African countries have, fortunately, managed to stay off this particular list of top infected nations, as health care workers specifically, the nurses should have been more conscious of the need to know their status for the disease before heading off to an island nation that is battling to keep its population safe from COVID-19.
We don’t enjoy sounding harsh on this group of professionals invited by our Government to work here for the next two years. But someone has to tell the Governments of Barbados and Ghana that this misstep could have had catastrophic implications for Barbados’ citizens and its flagging economy.
We are currently inviting professionals from around the world to come here to live and work remotely for a year. Everyone is talking about Barbados. Imagine the damage to our reputation if infected nurses had made it into the general population?
This plan to import Ghanaian nurses has been on the table for months. Since last year we were making plans for the imported nurses. In early January, Minister Bostic was reported as saying the African nurses were expected in the first week of February “but there are one or two issues which have to be dealt with by the government of Ghana, in terms of obtaining visas”.
Since that period, Barbados has introduced travel protocols, and frankly the first thing one thinks of before a decision to travel in this environment is “what do I do about COVID-19”. Even if the excitement of travelling to a new nation may have led to awkward error or oversight, there really is no excuse for all the parties involved.
The attempt by our chief medical officer (CMO) Dr. Kenneth George to put a positive spin on the sad circumstances fell way short as he sought to cast it as a win for Barbados’ COVID-19 procedures. Yes. We managed to capture this large set of cases through rigorous testing. But CMO, is that good enough?
Our local stock of nurses is fast depleting due to migration, attrition due to retirement, fewer successful nursing graduates from the Barbados Community College and more nursing practitioners advancing their education and moving into administrative positions.
The void to be filled by the Ghanaian professionals added to those provided by the Government of Cuba specifically to work in the fight against COVID-19, is more than needed at this time. They have been warmly welcomed by the Barbados Nurses Association and this is noteworthy
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On one hand, ‘Ms. Sophisticated’ mentioned: “Yes CRITICISM is NECESSARY when the general public BREAKS the rule for in favour of self engagement.”
But, on the other, she’s ‘saying’: “However Verla is not in leadership management and one who makes the rules and implement the rules and guidlines on COVID”……..
…….. which could be reasonably interpreted as, Verla is NOT in leadership management and she’s NOT the individual who holds the RESPONSIBILITY for establishing or implementing COVID-19 protocols. As such, she SHOULDN’T be CRITICIZED for NOT ADHERING to them.
So, let ALL Barbadians adopt that attitude. We DON’T have to follow the COVID-19 protocols because we don’t make the rules.
But, as president of the DLP, doesn’t this means Verla is ACTUALLY “in leadership management?” And, if that political wins the 2023 general elections, wouldn’t she have the opportunity to become the next PM of Barbados?
Ironically, her August 5, 2020 6:06 AM contribution COMPLETELY NEGATES and RUBBISHES her August 5, 2020 4:59 AM contribution.
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@ Mariposa,
Barbados Editorial is frank and on point. I am concerned with the ratio of males to female which is a shade under one to one. The vast majority of nurses in Barbados are female. Which begs the question why are we bringing over so many male nurses?
Take a look at the link below regarding the pre-testing of these nurses prior to their departure.
There was a female who was interviewed by the press who spoke English with a very good accent. She claimed that this was the first time that she had worked outside of Ghana. And raised the possibility that the nurses could be in the country for longer than 2 years. Quite a strange thing to say especially on the runway of an airport for a newly arrived guest.
https://yebekagh.com/95-ghana-nurses-arrive-in-barbados/
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@TLSN
Do we know what kinds off visas they are on? What if some of the young women get pregnant, or the men formed local relations and father children?
Would the children be automatically Barbadian citizens? Can we deport the parents of Barbadian babies? Even so, would it be morally right?
Here is a Bajan favourite: foreign earnings. When these nurses send home remittances will that impact our reserves?
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