NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Cabinet Office confirmed yesterday.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said Ferreira was not experiencing symptoms and was in quarantine.
It advised that as a precautionary measure all Cabinet ministers who came in “direct contact” with Ferreira will be tested and self-quarantine.
“The prime minister did not have direct contact with minister Ferreira,” read the statement.
“Contact tracing is being carried out by the Ministry of Health Surveillance Unit and all established health protocols are being followed.”
The statement advised that the Churchill Building, which houses the Cabinet Office, was being deep cleaned and sanitized and was expected to reopen today.
The meeting of Cabinet takes place on Tuesdays.
It remains unclear how the Cabinet will proceed this morning.
Four parliamentarians, including a senator, have tested positive for the virus since August.
Last week, St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 after he was exposed to a positive case during a meeting.
In August, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis, the Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San San Salvador MP, Senator Dr Michael Darville, and Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson tested positive for the virus.
The parliamentarians have since recovered and returned to sessions of the Senate and House.
Last week, Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie expressed concern about the possibility of the “institutional spread of the virus” in the Lower Chamber.
It was confirmed on September 15 that a House of Assembly staffer tested positive for the virus.
A second staffer at the House has tested positive for the virus since then.
As of yesterday, there were 4,559 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 1,952 remained active.
Another 2,475 cases or 54 percent have recovered.
