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Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

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.

Covid 19

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

COVID 19

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

covid10

covid12

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

Covid11

Updated graph for 26 April 2020. No new +ve cases were found. Cumulative count is still 79 – Lyall Small

covid13

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

Covid-Cumulative 1
Graphing Covid-19 incidence in several Caribbean Islands – Source data: caribbeansignal.com

3,454 responses to “COVID 19 UPDATES”

  1. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar
    Cuhdear Bajan

    None of the 46 people in isolation at Harrison Point today had been vaccinated against Covid19.

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Nine people, two males and seven females, were identified as COVID-19 positive by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory.

    The facility conducted 1 295 tests on Friday, July 23 and there are currently 187 people in isolation.

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/07/24/nine-new-covid-cases-nearly-190-isolation/

  3. COVID 19: NO Retreat, No Surrender | Barbados Underground

    […] COVID 19 UPDATES […]

  4. David Avatar
    David

    This week’s charts suggest that we might be at the start of a new wave that could last for months as was the case of the earlier 2021 waves in Jamaica, Guyana, T&T and St Lucia and with the added complication of the presence of the very virulent delta variant in the region. The signs that suggest otherwise are that the daily positivity charts are all at less than 5% over the past 3 weeks and that the Covid-19 teams are continuing their good work and that, despite the very high odds against, the aggressive work by the Authorities have so far resulted in fairly significant levels of vaccination take up. The ride will still be a rough one but everyone needs to do their part to conquer this insidious foe – Source: Lyall Small

    See BU Covid 19 Updates Page

  5. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    A great interview with Dr Chetty on COVID treatment.

  6. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Dominica registered more than 100 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), over the past 48 hours.

    Population 2021
    72,167

  7. David Avatar
    David

    The charts seem to suggest that the authorities have been able to get some measure of success re. limiting the spread of the virus. I hope that trend persists, but continued vigilance and support for the protocols from the general public, is essential for the desired outcomes – Source: Lyall Small
    See COVID 19 Updates page

     

  8. David Avatar
    David

    Delta variant ‘a threat’

    A financial firm based in London believes COVID-19’s Delta variant is a growing threat to Barbados’ economic prospects, including tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom (UK).
    EMFI Securities Limited, which advises clients invested in Barbados Government instruments, released a new Barbados country report on Friday and warned that the economy “could not sustain another year with depressed tourism activity, even if a recovery is taking place”.
    The assessment was prepared by head of research Geronimo Mansutti Silva, economist Rosamnis Marcano, strategist Matias Bensousan and quantitative analyst Sheizza Nal and was issued in response to the latest Central Bank quarterly review.
    Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes reported that the economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the second quarter, but contracted by nine per cent in the first half of the year.
    The EMFI team, which has told investors to keep hold of their Barbados securities, is predicting that the economy will grow by 1.4 per cent this year, but cautioned that they will “see significant downside risks such as the outbreak of the Delta variant and the imposition of new travel restrictions”.
    The Central Bank has forecast 2021 growth of between one and three per cent, and the International Monetary Fund has predicted that growth this year will be 4.1 per cent.
    Risks
    “Among the upside risks, we have highlighted the rapid recovery of tourism in the different Caribbean countries and the incorporation of Barbados into the UK’s green travel list. However, Barbados is currently at risk of moving from green to amber list, which would mean a new setback in the recovery of tourism,” said the EMFI representatives.
    “For this reason, we see significant downside risks such as the outbreak of the Delta variant and the imposition of new travel restrictions. While the growth in the first quarter represents a spark of hope for Barbados, the sun is not shining yet.”
    They also warned: “COVID-19 is not over yet either. With the Delta variant spreading across the world,
    many countries are re-establishing travel restrictions and mandating quarantines for tourists. Barbados, being strongly reliant on the tourism industry, these developments darken the outlook.
    “The island’s economy could not sustain another year with depressed tourism activity, even if a recovery is taking place.”
    The EMFI report observed that “despite some easing of travel restrictions, the travel was nine per cent lower than in the second quarter of 2020”.
    “Barbados is not facing an easy task; its most important industry is still suffering from the pandemic, and the Delta variant is setting back the recovery. The country will have to find a way to muddle through for now; however, sooner or later tourism will return to its pre-pandemic levels,” they added.
    The EMFI team also made the following observations about Barbados’ economic outlook:
    • The recovery in tourism
    in Barbados is lagging the
    rest of the region.
    • Barbados Government’s
    commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline is remarkable, achieving a primary surplus of 1.5 per cent during the first quarter of the financial year 2021/2022.
    • We estimate that debt
    burden will increase to $13.5 billion or 140.5 per cent of GDP by the end of the financial year 2021/2022. (SC)

    Source: Nation

  9. David Avatar
    David

    WHO caveats on vaccine mandates
    As promised, this week I shall discuss in more detail the World Health Organisation (WHO) policy brief entitled Covid-19 And Mandatory Vaccination: Ethical Considerations And Caveats, 13 April 2021.
    The policy brief clearly states that the WHO “does not presently support the direction of mandates for COVID-19 vaccination”. So it is surprising that our Government is considering a vaccine mandate when it has repeatedly stated that it follows the guidance of the WHO in how it deals with COVID-19.
    In defining mandatory vaccination policies, the document recognises that these policies include “direct or indirect threats of imposing restrictions in cases of non-compliance . . . making vaccination a condition of . . .
    attending school or working in particular industries or setting.” Therefore, threatening to disadvantage, discipline or terminate workers who are unvaccinated is a form of mandating vaccinations.
    The policy brief acknowledges that a vaccine mandate may be necessary to achieve important public health goals such as herd immunity but states that if the goals can be achieved by less coercive methods, a mandate would not be ethically justified.
    The main public health goal for widespread vaccination is the achievement of herd immunity.
    Herd immunity
    However, emerging evidence shows that herd immunity may not be achievable. Deputy Chief epidemiologist of Iceland, Kamilla Josefsdottir stated in a press briefing on August 5 that “vaccination hasn’t achieved herd immunity as well as hoped”. Iceland has 68.85 per cent of its population vaccinated but has recently experienced a surge in cases due to the delta variant that has put a strain on its hospitals. Similarly, Professor Andrew Pollard, director of Oxford Vaccine Group and chief investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial, recently stated “We’re now dealing with different variants which will continue to emerge and transmit in vaccinated populations.
    So, I think we should forget herd immunity. It’s the wrong concept because of the variants. The virus will find ways of transmitting in immune populations”.
    Since herd immunity is now questionable, would a vaccine mandate be ethically justified, especially where many countries are considering giving booster shots due to the waning protections of the current vaccines against the delta variant?
    Public health goals
    The WHO document cautions governments that “public health goals should be evaluated in the context of the possibility that repeated vaccinations may be required as the virus evolves, as this may challenge the possibility of a mandate to realistically achieve intended public health objectives”.
    Additionally, the policy brief says that before imposing a vaccine mandate “supply of the authorised vaccine should be sufficient and reliable . . . the absence of sufficient supply . . . would not only render the mandate
    ineffective in achieving vaccine uptake but would create an unduly burdensome, unfair demand on those who are required to be vaccinated but are unable to access the vaccine”.
    At present, Barbados does not have sufficient vaccines to inoculate the remaining unvaccinated adult population. How can a vaccine mandate be justified by employers or our Government at this time given the absence of a sufficient supply?
    The document also warns that “policymakers should carefully consider whether vaccines authorised for emergency or conditional use meet evidentiary thresholds for efficacy and effectiveness sufficient for a mandate”. The WHO document recommends that “mandatory vaccination should be implemented with no fault compensation schemes to address any vaccine related harm that might occur.
    This is important as it would be unfair to require people who experience vaccine-related harm to seek legal remedy from harm resulting from a mandatory intervention”. Britain has implemented a no-fault compensation fund as has South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and a few others. Notably, these countries have paid out significant sums for vaccine-related effects.
    Does the Government of Barbados have the funds to establish a similar compensation policy to accompany a vaccine mandate when both the unemployment fund and the severance fund had to be topped up this year?
    Space does not permit me to delve further into the document. I recommend all persons download and read it in its entirety. We must hold the Government to account on the caveats presented by the body from whom they take their direction.
    Michelle M. Russell is an attorney at law with a passion for employment law and labour matters, and is a budding social activist.

    Source: NAtion

  10. David Avatar
    David

    https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DASHBOARD-Vaccine-AUGUST-6-730×456.png

  11. David Avatar
    David

    Barbados ‘high’ on list for Cuban vaccine
    BARBADOS’ AMBASSADOR to CARICOM David Comissiong says the island is near the top of the list for regional countries hoping to garner a few thousand doses of the Abdala vaccine out of Cuba.
    However, he said due to market forces, the highly sought-after vaccine might be better used as a booster shot for Barbadians early next year.
    Still, he is hoping the Cuban-manufactured drug can become available as early as next month.
    “Barbadians are calling for it and arrangements have been in place for several months now to receive that vaccine,” Comissiong told the DAILY NATION, adding Barbados was one of the first countries in the Eastern Caribbean which sought delivery of Abdala.
    “From the time it was announced that Cuba was working on a COVID-19 vaccine, the Barbados Government did indicate to Cuba that in the event that they were able to develop a vaccine, that Barbados would be interested in having access to it.”
    He said that based on early scientific data, Abdala had one of the best efficacy rates in the world, around 94 per cent.
    The ambassador noted that with all vaccines, permission had been granted by their national authorities for emergency use, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) had come in and also recommended if the vaccine could be approved for emergency use.
    The Cuban vaccine is going through the same process, and the final phase of testing was done with much input from the WHO. Abdala now has national permission, and is awaiting WHO’s recommendation that it be used for emergency use as well.
    “Once that happens, Barbados is already in line to receive supplies of the vaccine. I know there are several countries in line, and some big countries have already made down payments on supplies of the Cuban vaccine,” said Comissiong. “We haven’t done so, but we long ago made our expression of interest to the Cuban authorities. Once the WHO makes the recommendation that it can be used in emergency situations, it should be made available to the rest of the world.”
    He said that earlier predictions had indicated Abdala would be ready by the end of September.
    However, he is urging Barbadians not to stick around waiting for Abdala, but to be vaccinated with whichever vaccine is available.
    “We are likely to find there will be a need for booster vaccines in the years ahead, so the message should be really not to wait. Don’t wait for the Cuban vaccine, get vaccinated now. The Cuban vaccine will come, and you will have access to it, even if it turns out not to be your first vaccination, but as a booster. It is simply not wise to pass up an opportunity to be vaccinated with AstraZeneca or Sinopharm because [of] waiting for the Cuban vaccine,” he warned.
    Barbados has so far only had access to AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines. Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic recently indicated the country was waiting on the second batch of about 33 000 doses of AstraZeneca. (BA)

    Source: Nation

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Why vaccines are important now
    THE RADIO CALL-IN programmes seem to be bombarded with people who claim not to be antivaxers, but yet attempt to put forward a multitude of reasons why the vaccine should be avoided. While I can’t respond to all their concerns, and many concerns are genuine, there are still some “facts” that some of these persons choose to overlook.
    Neither of the two anti-COVID vaccines we get here in Barbados, the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine nor the Sinopharm vaccine, developed specifically against the earlier versions of the COVID virus, have shown (nor claim to be) 100 per cent effective. For argument’s sake, let’s say the figure is 80 per cent here. This means that 20 per cent of people who got two doses of either vaccine will not be “genuinely protected”.
    These people can still contract COVID – breakthrough infections – and these persons can still spread COVID to other persons. This means that, even after two doses of either vaccine, there will be a small percentage of persons that can become seriously ill, at risk of death, and can continue to spread the virus.
    If one is “genuinely” fully vaccinated after two shots, your chance of getting ill and/or requiring tertiary care (hospitalisation) are significantly reduced, but there is still a small chance that you can spread the virus, particularly to unvaccinated persons.
    To further complicate matters, the virus continues to evolve. The efficacy figures came out from studies when an earlier versions of the COVID virus, e.g. the Alpha variant was the dominant strains in circulation. Since then, newer strains have emerged as the newest “bad boys on the block”. The Delta strain is one of these. The Delta strain spreads more quickly than earlier strains, i.e. it is more contagious. It is presently unclear whether the Delta variant is more deadly than earlier versions of the virus.
    When the Alpha version dominated, about 80 per cent of persons who contracted the virus had no symptoms (but could still spread the disease), 15 per cent got mild symptoms, and about five per cent became seriously ill, often requiring hospitalisation. Many of those that ended up in hospitals died.
    We do not know if these proportions apply to the Delta variant: what we do know is that the Delta variant is causing more hospitalisations and more deaths in places where it is increasingly running rampant. The Delta variant also seems to be more dangerous to children, while earlier versions focused on the elderly and those with co-morbidities. Presumably we do not want that to happen here.
    We also do not accurately know from studies how effective the vaccines are against the Delta variant. [In the United States, the makers of the two vaccines primarily used over there are considering whether the m-RNA vaccine needs to be “tweaked” and if (or when) a booster (third) dose needs to be administered].
    Asymptomatic carrier
    Our current vaccines still seem to be stopping (or at least slowing) persons from becoming seriously ill with the Delta variant lurking around, even though they may not stop the person from contracting COVID and potentially becoming an asymptomatic carrier. This supports
    the continued use of face masks and other protective measures, even in the vaccinated, to mitigate the spread of disease in our community.
    And the story does not end here. More variants are possible: already a variant coming out of Peru (the Lambada variant) seems to be the designated successor to the Delta variant, which seemed to come out of India. It is unknown what would happen when this variant encounters persons fully vaccinated (effectively) against the earlier versions.
    The longer we allow the viruses to stick around, the greater is the chance of new variants emerging. Newer variants can be more resistant to our current vaccines: we may not be able to access any new vaccines fast enough, to afford to keep paying for the vaccines, or to distribute the vaccine to large enough proportions of our populations, to stay ahead of COVID and its variants. At this time about 25 per cent of our Barbadian population has gotten two doses of vaccine; herd immunity against the Alpha strain requires about 70 per cent of population to be fully vaccinated. It is estimated that this figure may rise to 90 per cent for the Delta variant, so we a still a long way off after five months of an immunisation campaign.
    Vaccinate now, while we have the vaccine. Vaccinate now, as we try to reach herd immunity and stop the spread of COVID and its variants. Vaccinate now, while we still have a vaccine that is at least partially effective. We have seen that, even in persons not directly affected by the disease, their businesses have been closed (some permanently), their children’s education has been disrupted, persons have been laid off, and the country (at least economically) has been on a downward spiral. Even unvaccinated persons cannot escape all these negative issues that accompany COVID, even if they do not come down with the disease.
    Get your vaccine now: it can protect you, it can protect our children, and it can protect the country.
    Dr Colin Alert is family physician. His sources of information include sites like the World Health Organisation, the Pan American Health Organisation, and the Centre for Disease Control in the United States.

    Source: Nation

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Dr. Alert’s view relates to the benefits to being vaccinated. Those who prefer to be unvaccinated obviously his comment does not apply – especially as it relates to vaccine effectiveness.

  14. David Avatar
    David

    Covid Unit boss pleased with progress

    Head of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, Ronald Chapman, is pleased with Barbadians’ behaviour as health officials move to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and close down clusters.
    In an interview with the Weekend Nation yesterday, Chapman said he had nothing major to report, and hoped that would continue.
    “This week has been wonderful. We have a number of people before the law courts, but other than that we’ve had a very good week. I hope to have another week like this next week,” he said.
    However, Chapman said they were still conducting investigations into a fitness event held on Kadooment Day at Bushy Park, which he said was staged without prior permission from the Monitoring Unit.
    Chapman also noted the planned walk, hosted by the Barbados Concerned Citizens Against Mandated and Coerced Vaccination last weekend, did not fall under their purview.
    “That is not the purview of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit. That is a matter for the Royal Barbados Police Force. The COVID-19 Monitoring Unit doesn’t have skills in controlling crowds or anything of that sort so there is no way that you can expect the COVID-19 [Monitoring] Unit could be involved in something like that,” he said.
    In a July 11 press conference, Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic had announced an increase in COVID-19 cases, with 40 cases being recorded on July 11, which propelled officials to reinstate a daily 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    curfew from July 13.
    Under the current COVID-19 Directive No. 14, which came into effect on August 6 and expires on August 22, Barbadians are prohibited from social gatherings like fetes, parties, banquets,
    balls and dances, bus crawls, karaoke events and bus or vehicular excursions; however, limes or picnics may be held with no more than 40 people.
    Churches, funerals and weddings are also capped at 100 people, with dancing restricted at weddings.
    Competitive sporting events, including horse racing, are only permitted to be held with prior permission of the unit, but no spectators are allowed.
    Full contact sports are banned, except boxing, martial arts and wrestling, which are permitted with noncontact training and non-contact coaching.
    Squash is also permitted for practice with one person permitted on the court at any given time.
    Summer camps are not permitted under the directive, but beaches and parks are opened from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pleasure crafts and private boats may also be chartered for private cruises, with no more than 50 per cent capacity. Indoor cinemas are allowed no more than 100 people, while drive-in cinemas are allowed to operate. (RA)


    Source: Nation

  15. David Avatar
    David

    ‘Low adverse reaction’ to Covid vaccines

    Significantly less than one per cent of those who have taken the COVID-19 vaccination in this country have experienced adverse effects and even less still can be categorised serious effects.
    This is according to the most recent data released by the Adverse Effects Following Immunisation Committee (AEFIC), which was disclosed by Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr Arthur Phillips, during the second in a series of town hall meetings on vaccines and testing at Princess Margaret Secondary School on Wednesday.
    Phillips revealed that out of the more than 182 000 doses administered in Barbados, there were three moderate to serious reactions while 442 people had minor reactions.
    “The vaccination, as with any immunisation, can come with some mild side effects in terms of pain at the injection site, itching and the flu-like symptoms . . . . We are quite satisfied that the level of any adverse effects is extremely low . . . . We would have shared this information because we believe that it is appropriate to share in the context of what we are discussing and the work of the team is continuous, so as they receive submissions, they are reviewed and the information is collected and assessed,” he explained.
    Also weighing in on the statistics was Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George, who also sits on the AEFIC.
    He said each claim was taken very seriously but noted that the majority of the effects were as result of the immune system being primed.
    “We want the public to not only come for what they describe as major disease. If you want to report that you had swelling in your arm, we take that seriously. If you want to report that you had a fever, nausea or feeling unwell after the vaccine [you can also do so]. What I will tell you is many of the minor symptoms that occur with respect to vaccinations are occurring because your immune system is being primed. So that you reach a stage where you feel unwell for a
    day or two because what is happening is that your immune system is spilling out antibodies,” said George However, the statistics disclosed received some push back from attendee Valerie-Suzette Jean-Marie, who is head of the Barbados Independent Complaints Register.
    She said the figures collected by her organisation showed “slightly higher” numbers.
    “I heard what you said about the numbers and there were some things that concerned me . . . . The numbers come to my desk, many people are afraid to speak out and my figures show slightly different,” she said.
    (CLM)

    Source: Nation

  16. David Avatar
    David

    [gallery type="square" columns="1" size="medium" ids="72980,72978,72979,72977"]

    Attached are the charts for this current week. I’ve added a new chart this week, daily positive cases per 100,000 members of our population. The charts essentially indicate that the current outbreak is being controlled and that there has been a small, but noticeable, uptick in vaccination uptake over the past two weeks. Indeed, with today’s acquisition of 70K Pfizer doses from the US, we should expect the vaccination rate to increase even more from next week – Source: Lyall Small

    See BU Covid 19 Updates page

  17. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    ” Twenty-three people – ten males and 13 females – have been diagnosed as coronavirus (COVID-19) positive. The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory conducted 1 770 tests on Saturday, August 14.”

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/15/23-new-virus-cases-101-people-isolation/

  18. David Avatar
    David

    [gallery type="rectangular" columns="1" size="medium" ids="73154,73151,73152,73153"]

    Attached are the Covid-19 incidence charts for the week ending 20th August 2021. The charts seem to codify a situation that could rationally go either way re. Increasing or decreasing prevalence over the next few weeks. The uptick in vaccination percentages offers some hope for fairly quick control around the corner, as does the low average positivity rate of around 1.2 percent for the week and the low incidence rate of 4 new positives per 100,000 population over the last 4 weeks. The data therefore suggests that we are still doing reasonably well as compared with our neighbours but we must all do our part to surmount the several challenges on the horizon and bring this plague under undeniable control – Source: Lyall Small
    See BU COVID 19 Updates page
  19. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Eight males and eight females are the latest people to be diagnosed with COVID-19.

    The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory conducted 1 145 tests on Sunday, August 22.

    There are currently 161 people in isolation.

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/23/16-covid-cases/

  20. David Avatar
    David

    Williams: Other vaccines no less valid
    ALTHOUGH THE Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, president of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, Dr Lynda Williams, says that does not mean any of the other vaccines are less valid.
    “The FDA is just a regulating body. It is not the regulating body. It is a regulating body, one of several in the world. Bajans are acting as if all of our drugs that we use in Barbados are determined by the FDA and that is not true. We’re not the 51st state,” she told the DAILY NATION last night.
    “It does not mean that any of the other vaccines are any less valid. It doesn’t mean that the others are experimental. It means that specific time has passed and that they have done some of the steps that would normally be done at the end of drug development. But that doesn’t mean that any of the others shouldn’t have been used and are any less valid. If people feel more confident on account of that, I am happy,” she said.
    Williams noted no country in the world had yet halted community spread, adding the best way to reduce the spread or transmission of COVID-19 was by vaccination and following the protocols.
    Transmission rate
    “That is what will get us out, and that is what, even in this situation, will make the difference to us in terms of what we are able to do and continue to do. If we continue to vaccinate and get people where they need to be in terms of the level of vaccinations in the country, then the transmission rate should decrease, which is what we’re seeing all over the world.”
    However, she said some people who continued to congregate were not in bubbles that was why they had to keep looking at the measures put in place.
    “If a day comes that we have to suddenly pull up the brakes, that is what we do. And if we have to press the brakes a little firmer, then that is what we do while we get those vaccination rates up. I saw this weekend that lots of people came out to get the vaccine. Lots more people are asking about it and are curious about it. As they continue to take the vaccines, that will give us some space to protect those who will never take them. In order to protect the unvaccinated, we have to keep educating, social
    distancing, and if necessary, if it needs to be enforced by the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit in some areas, then that is what we need to do as well,” she said.
    Ongoing discussion
    Regarding BAMP’s recommendations for the country’s COVID-19 protocols, Williams said they had been taken into account before the Government made its decision. She said their protocols had been discussed with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism and Social Partners. However, she made it clear BAMP’s recommendations were not static but part of an ongoing discussion.
    “Now the Government must govern and they must make the final decisions on what can be done in a safe and economic way. Our [BAMP’s] way is always going to be biased towards health.
    “There would have been several meetings since then and the consensus would have been what you heard coming out of the Social Partnership. That was the Government’s decision based on what they saw and heard from all of us. They made their decision and they heard us fully. Of that I am certain,” she said. ( RA)


    Source: Nation

  21. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    ” The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory identified 26 new COVID-19 cases, 14 males and 12 females, from 1 300 tests conducted on Monday, August 23.”

  22. David Avatar
    David

    Vaccines are less protective against Delta infection but still reduce risk by two-thirds, CDC study shows

    https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/24/health/us-coronavirus-tuesday/index.html

  23. David Avatar
    David

    Delta variant forces rethink
    THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS Delta variant is causing the Ministry of Health to re-evaluate its approach to the COVID-19 virus.
    Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic said that while the situation was not out of control, the nature of the new strain meant they could not continue doing things the same way. “The Delta variant brings something new into the equation; while the old rules stated we would not change the directives unless there is a five per cent or more [population] infection, I’m sure that will be modified,” he said. Bostic was speaking to the media yesterday following a ceremony for the arrival of 33 600 doses of AstraZeneca, the third and final batch of the vaccine from the COVAX facility, at the Grantley Adams International Airport. It was attended by representatives of the European Union, United States, Japan, Britain, Canada and the United Nations (UN).
    ‘Have to work hard’
    “It is not out of control but of course I would like to see it go back down. [While] five per cent is the threshold, I would still like to see it go below two per cent, so we have to work hard to get it back there. At the end of the day, once you are dealing with Delta, you know you’re going to have some cases and at this point we’ve been doing quite well in containing the spread of the Delta variant,” he said. During the proceedings, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said while they were doing well, there was “always the opportunity to pause and see how we can do it better”, especially in light of the emerging variants.
    “We face the reality of [one of the] variants. From the very beginning . . . we spoke about the race against the variants and the only way we are going to ensure we don’t have to fight even more virulent, contagious and deadly variants is if we are able to have equitable access to vaccines as a matter of urgency,” she said.
    Mottley said this was not done during the early stages of the pandemic, which represented the world “dropping the ball” and laying open its flanks to the possibility of variants to rise.
    The Prime Minister urged the UN to ensure it embraced all countries as they headed into its climate change conference, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.
    “I pray as the UN meets, we will find it in us to recognise that unless we can secure the weakest nationstate and the farthest populations of the earth, we are going to be here, regrettably, for a few more years. I look forward to the kind of sensible decision making that allows us to protect those who are yet [in the void]. It makes no sense us going to Glasgow in November if we are going to lose the battle against the COVID pandemic,” she said.
    Mottley also highlighted the emergence of the African swine flu, detected in the Dominican Republic. She said it decimated animals and the same way the island had to take guard and act proactively against COVID-19, the same must be done with the African swine flu.
    Impacted
    On Saturday, she said the COVID-19 virus had directly impacted about two per cent of the Barbadian population, but public health officials were able to contain two now inactive clusters of COVID-19 cases in Barbados, among which the Delta variant had been discovered.
    However, Mottley said the Ministry of Health was actively involved in a screening process of two other clusters which could have two more cases associated with the Delta variant, based on preliminary screening.
    “We want to be able to set clear objectives to keep Barbadians safe. The variants have placed pressure on all countries across the world, and we are very conscious of what is happening with the Delta variant,” she said.
    (CA)

    Source: Nation

  24. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Covid surge continues with 21 new cases

    Twenty-one people, 11 males and 10 females, were identified as COVID-19 positive by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. The facility conducted 1 398 tests on Wednesday, August 25.

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/26/covid-surge-continues-21-new-cases/

  25. David Avatar
    David

    It may get worse Hants because many Barbadians are not following COVID 19 protocol.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    The plane, the plane…
    The delta, the delta…

    https://starcomnetwork.net/blog/2021/08/27/alarm-over-variants-isolation-facilities-increase/

  27. David Avatar
    David

    REGIONAL: Longer curfew in Antigua among new measures as COVID-19 cases rise

    Article by
    Barbados TodayPublished on
    August 26, 2021

    SOURCE: CMC- A nine-hour curfew will take effect on Friday, while several businesses will have to remain closed, as health authorities report a surge in COVID-19 cases overwhelming healthcare facilities.

    Cabinet reported that 58 new cases had been recorded Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the number of active cases to 222, with patients ranging from five months old to 82 years old.

    There are currently 27 people hospitalized with COVID-19. According to the Cabinet, 13 of the 17 beds at the Infectious Diseases Centre (IDC) are occupied, while 10 of 16 beds in the COVID ward of the Sir Lester Bird Mount St John’s Medical Centre (SLBMJMC) are being used to treat people with severe COVID symptoms.

    Meantime, COVID cluster investigations are underway at Royalton Hotel, The St. John’s Fire Station, and Police Headquarters. One person tested positive at the prison.

    In order to combat increases in the number of infected people, Cabinet said on Wednesday, several changes would begin on Friday night and continue for two weeks.

    Curfew hours will run from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; gyms will close; restaurants will be open for take-out only; summer camps will close; the maximum number of people allowed in churches has been reduced to 25, excluding the technical team and the clergy; wakes and receptions are also limited to 25 individuals; and informal gatherings are limited to 10 people.

    The reopening of schools has also been delayed by one week, until September the 13, “to allow consultations between the Ministry, the parents and to allow the union to consult with its membership”, on issued including COVID-19 vaccination, Cabinet said.

    “Sixty-two per cent of all teachers are fully vaccinated and the numbers are heading for 80 per cent. There are almost 8,000 students 12 years and older and the object is to have all of these students vaccinated before face-to-face school resumes,” it noted.

    “The union informed that there is a large number of teachers measuring as much as 65 per cent who are opposed to testing. The object is to ensure that 100 per cent of teachers are vaccinated, so that there can be no transmission of COVID-19 to any student. In some private schools, 100 per cent vaccinated teachers has been achieved.

    “The law provides that a safe working environment is to be pursued by the employer in this case the Schools is to be safe, for teachers, students and ancillary staff,” it added.

  28. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    48 news cases, 203 people in isolation

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/27/48-news-cases-203-people-isolation/

  29. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/jWxk7MmATLs

  30. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    I think the fat lady is getting ready to sing.

  31. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Duh

  32. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    Best press conference thus far. I said on this blog eons ago they needed to focus on poor ventilation and air circulation issues in buildings.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Attached are the charts for the week ending today. It looks like we have taken a turn for the worse. The hint of an upsurge from last week is now more than a hint as all the charts, except the vaccinations uptake, show definite real increases. We all need to sit tight and follow the protocols scrupulously. We have faced similar challenges before and survived. I expect that this challenge will be met with similar resolve. Hold tight- Source: Lyall Small

    See BU COVID 19 Updates page

  34. Covid 19 and Economic Fatigue ‘Virus’ Spike | Barbados Underground

    […] COVID 19 UPDATES […]

  35. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    50 new cases, 230 in isolation
    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/08/29/50-new-cases-230-isolation/

  36. David Avatar
    David

    https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DASHBOARD-Vaccine-AUGUST-28-255×159.png

  37. lyallsmall Avatar
    lyallsmall

    David; Re. your 5:26 am post. The dashboard actually refers to August 28th data as does Hant’s data above. The data reported on a particular date is actually for the previous day. I’ve been searching for the 30th august dashboard which would have normally been published this afternoon. Its not yet up.

    Lyall Small

  38. David Avatar
    David

    https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/362F1979-8667-4FDD-9265-F635CA8414A4-730×456.jpeg

    Forty-four year-old Barbadian male succumbs to COVID-19 –

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/08/30/forty-four-year-old-barbadian-male-succumbs-to-covid-19/

  39. David Avatar
    David

    New virus variant found in S. Africa
    JOHANNESBURG – South African scientists have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations but are yet to establish whether it is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines or prior infection.
    The new variant, known as C.1.2, was first detected in May and has now spread to most South African provinces and to seven other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania, according to research which is yet to be peer-reviewed.
    It contains many mutations that in other variants are associated with increased transmissibility and reduced sensitivity to neutralising antibodies, but they occur in a different mix and scientists are not yet sure how they affect the behaviour of the virus. Laboratory tests are under way to establish how well the variant is neutralised by antibodies.
    South Africa was the first country to detect the Beta variant, one of only four labelled “of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
    Beta is believed to spread more easily than the original version of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and there is evidence vaccines work less well against it, leading some countries to restrict travel to and from South Africa.
    Richard Lessells, an infectious disease specialist and one of the authors of the research on C.1.2, said its emergence tells us “this pandemic is far from over and that this virus is still exploring ways to potentially get better at infecting us”.
    He said people should not be overly alarmed at this stage and that variants with more mutations were bound to emerge further into the pandemic.
    Genomic sequencing data from South Africa show the C.1.2 variant was still nowhere near displacing the dominant Delta variant in July, the latest month for which a large number of samples was available.
    In July C.1.2 accounted for three per cent of samples versus one per cent in June, whereas Delta accounted for 67 per cent in June and 89 per cent in July.
    Delta is the fastest and fittest variant the world has encountered, and it is upending assumptions about COVID-19 even as nations loosen restrictions and reopen their economies. read more Lessells said C.1.2 may have more immune evasion properties than Delta, based on its pattern of mutations, and that the findings had been flagged to the WHO.
    A spokesman for South Africa’s health department declined to comment on the research.
    South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign got off to a slow start, with only around 14 per cent of its adult population fully vaccinated so far.
    (Reuters)

  40. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Sixty-four people, 30 males and 34 females, were identified by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as COVID-19 positive. The facility conducted 1 979 tests on Monday, August 30.

  41. David Avatar
    David

    CARPHA’s Position on the Use of Ivermectin to Treat COVID-19 Patients

    CARPHA’s Position on the Use of Ivermectin to Treat COVID-19 Patients

    Joseph Charles | 5/18/2021 3:23:00 PM | (7686) View Count | Return

    The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is urging Ministries of Health and clinicians to only use the medicine, ivermectin, under the conditions of well-regulated clinical trials for COVID-19, or for approved indications. This is a result of the limited evidence available to assure a favorable benefit-risk balance when used in treating patients with COVID-19. This is also reflected by the recommendations of the global health authority, World Health Organization (WHO).

    In its “Therapeutics and COVID-19: Living Guideline”, March 31, 2021, the WHO Guideline Development Group explains “The effects of ivermectin on mortality, mechanical ventilation, hospital admission, duration of hospitalization and viral clearance remain uncertain because of very low certainty of evidence addressing each of these outcomes.”  The WHO in its press release on ivermectin also noted that the current evidence is of “very low certainty,” due to the small sizes and methodological limitations of available trial data.

    In light of this, Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr. Joy St. John says “I am aware that some countries have already begun to use ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19, and others may be considering using the drug as a possible treatment.  However, CARPHA is urging our Member States to heed the current advice of the WHO, regardless of disease severity or duration of symptoms.”

    The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) “Living Update of COVID-19 Therapeutic Options Rapid Review” of May 6, 2021 notes that after review of 28 clinical trials “New evidence from randomized clinical trials was evaluated, however there is no change to the assessment that the medicine does not significantly reduce mortality and probably does not improve time to symptom resolution.”

    Also recognizing the need for further research, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) states “Results from adequately powered, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials are needed to provide more specific, evidence-based guidance on the role of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19”.  According to the NIH, ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that is used to treat several neglected tropical diseases, including scabies. Furthermore, ivermectin is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of any viral infection.

    CARPHA does not support the use of ivermectin outside of appropriately designed, well-regulated clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. Further CARPHA maintains that large randomised controlled clinical trials, with robust study design, meaningful endpoints, and significant results are essential to inform public health decision-making about treatments for COVID-19, as these are designed to rule out findings of benefits and risks that may appear due to chance.   

    More information about CARPHA’s Regional Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

  42. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @David September 1, 2021 5:14 AM

    This makes my blood boil. Shut down CARPHA.

    Why is CARPHA not conducting their own large scale studies?

    Do their medical persons not have the ability to conduct heir own large scale study signing up their member states to properly compare the effectiveness of drugs like hydroxychloroquine+zinc and ivermectin at the various stages of the illness to current standards of care treatments instead of blindly following the WHO and NIH that keep getting it wrong?

  43. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    What resources are available to CARPHA?

  44. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    CARPHA can coordinate a huge multi country study across the Caribbean using member country CMOs and UWI with governments providing logistical and financial support.

    Alone each country does not have the COVID numbers for a large scale randomized study but together, we can get all hands on deck and pool resources with CARPHA/UWI coordinating to answer the question once and for all.

    WHO and NIH are never going to conduct the study. Time to start looking after our own affairs.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    Ivermectin and COVID-19: Why poison centers are getting calls about this controversial drug

    https://www.cnet.com/news/ivermectin-and-covid-19-why-poison-centers-are-getting-calls-about-this-controversial-drug/

  46. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @David September 1, 2021 6:47 AM

    If you don’t understand what you are doing you will poison yourself with any drug. The biggest problem with the veterinary version is the main label does not usually indicate it contains other drugs not fit for humans and you will only realise it if you read the ingredients list in the fine print.

    It is fairly hard to overdose on pure ivermectin as it is well tolerated. Some of the side effects people encounter are actually toxins beng released when the parasites in your body die.

    I’m willing to bet no one has died otherwise it would be headline news on all the news media as the pharmaceuticals are trying hard to block it. Case in point, the study referred to in the article is using a 3 day course so they can say inconclusive. Three days is not enough time to properly prove efficacy?

  47. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    You agree it is hard for tiny countries like Barbados to push against the medical establishment?

  48. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Don’t give me any of the new= fangled stuff from Pfizer or Moderna, I want some of the old fashion stuff that the cows take for deworming. I don’t even need a prescription I can go to any feed store and buy it off the shelf.

    Sorry Bessie, I need this more than you do

  49. Critical Analyzer Avatar
    Critical Analyzer

    @David September 1, 2021 8:08 AM

    What medical establishment, what?

    We want to be a republic in two months for bragging rights but we don’t want to make conduct our own studies to test the efficacy of drugs approved since the early 70s and 80s currently on the WHO list of essential drugs.

    We been quarantining and isolating every single positive person we can find from day one, so Doctor Corey Forde and the COVID monitoring unit should have had at least two papers published about what we learnt, one on treatment and one on methods of transmission or did they not learn anything after 18 months.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @CA

    Why should we test drugs locally which have already been subjected to peer review?

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