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NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Another case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in New Providence, bringing the total number in the country to 29. The newly confirmed case is a 48-year-old woman with no history of travel. The woman has been hospitalized, according to the Ministry of Health. In its latest dashboard, the ministry lists the number of "recovered cases" as four....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Prime Minister has released the COVID-19 Food Shopping Schedule with country-wide restrictions to take effect tomorrow. The schedule advised each household should identify a single shopper, with individuals required to provide photo identification to show proof of last name. Adults with the last name beginning A through F will be allowed to enter...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Veteran nephrologist Dr Judson Frazier Eneas is the country's fifth COVID-19 related death. Officials reported the 72-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1. He was hospitalized, and had no travel history but was linked to a previous case. Eneas was a pioneer in the medical community as an internist, and nephrologist who introduced Dialysis to Doctors...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 72-year-old COVID-19 patient has died in New Providence - bringing the total number of virus-related deaths to 5. Health minister Dr Duane Sands confirmed the death but declined further comment. Officials reported the deceased man, case 18, had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1. He was hospitalized, and had no travel history but was linked...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two days after officials confirmed he had tested positive for COVID-19, an 80-year-old man has died in Grand Bahama. Relatives told Eyewitness News 80-year-old Eight Mile Rock resident Clarence Bartlett, known as "C A", passed away overnight. He was confirmed as a positive case on April 2. When contacted, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said:...

Minister urges those who can pay their bills to do so. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light will no longer be carrying out disconnections as previously announced, Works Minister Desmond Bannister told Eyewitness News today. Bannister who has ministerial responsibility for the power company, said: “BPL is not disconnecting anymore. That is a decision from the minister.” However, the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — All private medical and dental practices in the country have been ordered to suspend routine and non-emergent visits with patients. The new measure was outlined in an amendment to the COVID-19 emergency powers order issued today. The order allows medical facilities to remain open, provided: "all private medical and dental practices shall eliminate all routine and non-emergency...

No update on suspected Bimini case NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases now stands at 15 with the latest case, a 57-year-old woman reportedly in stable condition at hospital. The new case was found in Grand Bahama, bringing total number of cases on the island to three. The remaining 12 cases were found in New Providence....

Kim Johnson-Rolle is the sister of Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The suspected COVID-19 patient has been identified as deli vendor Kim Johnson-Rolle. Johnson-Rolle, a mother of three, is the sister of Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson. Speaking to Eyewitness News, West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe said the island is in mourning at the loss of Rolle. She...

AG says rent relief measures need more dialogue, "everybody must take a hit" NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A resolution to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency, regulations and emergency orders until April 8 has been passed into law. The resolution was passed unanimously in the House of Assembly and Senate this afternoon. The 24-hour curfew, border shutdown and closure of roads...

Unemployment assistance expanded to self employed persons outside of tourism sector NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest has announced the expansion of the unemployment assistance programme for self-employed persons outside of the tourism sector. "Given the aggressive actions taken by the Government in the interest of public safety, these self-employed persons, outside of...

Initiative aimed at protecting up to 10,000 private sector jobs. NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government in an effort to protect up to 10,000 jobs within the private sector today announced a payroll support initiative for qualifying businesses, as it will forego some $60 million in revenue over the next three months. Making the announcement in Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With three more cases confirmed tonight, the government will return to Parliament with a resolution to extend the state of emergency, and emergency powers orders over the coronavirus pandemic until April 8. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 14, with 12 on New Providence and two on Grand Bahama. Minnis announced the latest step...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 10, according to the most recent dashboard released by the Ministry of Health. The initial released graphic mistakenly says "recovered" cases and should read "released". It has since been corrected. The country's first case, a 61-year-old Bahamian woman, is the only recovered case to date....

Staff to receive 40% base pay for up to 90 days NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Baha Mar president Graeme Davis announced today the mega hotel will temporarily suspend operations on Wednesday, sending all nonessential staff home until further notice. Davis announced the move in a letter to “associates” today. The letter read: “In the almost three years since Baha Mar opened...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar today highlighted the grim reality facing the country’s tourism sector due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Underscoring widespread travel restrictions imposed by the country’s key source markets, D’Aguilar told Parliament: “Our tourism industry will be strained to its very core.” With a record 7.2 million visitors in 2019, Mr D’Aguilar said...

Education minister announces virtual learning regime to mitigate school shutdown MOE to provide meal vouchers for students NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education announced this morning that education officials have been in discussions with the Cambridge examination board about the possible extension of the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary (BGCSE) and the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) exams. The exams formed...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS -  Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands announced today in Parliament that there are currently 750 COVID-19 test kits in the country, with another 5,000 to 6,000 tests ordered. This comes after the government tabled a proclamation by the Governor General declaring a public state of emergency. Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis revealed today that two additional cases...