The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There is “no statistical difference” between the COVID-19 vaccines, according to Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Chief Pharmacist Dr Marvin Smith. Some Bahamians have expressed doubt and hesitancy towards AstraZeneca, viewing it as “substandard” compared to others such as Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s. Alluding to some vaccines having a higher efficacy rating than others, Smith said...

ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Sands said yesterday he is looking forward to seeing the government’s detailed plans for the Glass Window Bridge, describing it as “essential” to the island of Eleuthera. During a presentation to the Eleuthera Business Outlook last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Desmond Bannister noted that the government is...

US-manufactured vaccine will become available to general public on Thursday Bahamians and residents will have option to choose which vaccine to take and mix-and-match doses NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A select group of adults and children between the ages of 12 and 17 will be administered Pfizer today as part of an administrative assessment before rollout to the general public, according...

Unvaccinated physician dies from virus Sunday; mother and newborn test positive Vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths among those without the jab NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite surging cases and hospitalizations overwhelming the healthcare sector, only around 50 percent of healthcare workers have been vaccinated against the coronavirus in The Bahamas, health officials revealed yesterday. Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis. During a virtual...

Tremors from earthquake felt on Inagua NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Guy Cerubin, a resident of The Bahamas who has been stranded in Haiti for over five months due to the ongoing travel ban, was lying in bed in a two-story apartment in the southern district of Haiti when a 7.2 magnitude quake struck the island around 8.30pm on Saturday. At the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Challenger Energy’s chief executive said the company’s confidence in The Bahamas as a reliable investment location has been reinforced after an environmentalist-driven judicial review was discontinued in court. The Supreme Court last week endorsed a consent order that effectively brought to an end a judicial review of the government’s approvals to the company then known as Bahamas...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Services at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) continued to be impacted for a fourth consecutive day yesterday after scores of employees reportedly called in sick from both institutions. According to the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), around 150 employees called in sick last Thursday amid ongoing concerns over the number of coronavirus cases...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In an effort to encourage uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government is considering a vaccine lotto that would offer monetary incentives to the newly vaccinated. “There is a lot of consideration; as a matter of fact, the National Vaccine Consultative Committee (NVCC) is looking at those," he told Eyewitness News....

“Investments are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so we are urging all persons to register at ArawakX.com a smooth process” Free Community Investor Education classes to be offered to the public NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Beginning next week, Bahamians will have a chance to have ownership in two international companies that will launch on the ArawakX crowdfunding platform on Monday,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite the continued effects of COVID-19, the BISX-listed FamGuard Group recorded $6.3 million in profits for the first six months ended June 30, 2021. FamGuard Chairman Norbert Boissiere, in a message to shareholders, noted: “The gradual restart of tourism and distribution of vaccines has helped to restore some level of optimism; however, we continue to be challenged...

Ministry of Health defends honorariums awarded to minister’s driver and personal assistant PHA warns public to expect delays in services as result of workers calling in sick NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Services at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) were yesterday impacted for the second day in a row after hundreds of employees reportedly called in...

"Will we have the audacity to do something suitable for Shaunae Miller?" MOYSC minister says govt “exploring” ways to demonstrate appreciation to athletes NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Senator Ranard Henfield has suggested that the government rename Prince Charles Drive after two-time 400m Olympian champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo. Henfield made the suggestion during Thursday's sitting of the Senate as he commended both Miller-Uibo...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The national preparedness and response plan required by the government's Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Management Bill, 2021, would be able to program government spending over a period of years, said Attorney General Carl Bethel.  Bethel was responding to questions from the media after the prime minister tabled the new bill in Parliament on Wednesday.  The legislation,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) advised yesterday that the Chest Pain Unit of the Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) flooded after a pipe burst. The admission came after alleged video footage of the flooding incident was circulated on social media. In a statement on the matter last night, the PHA advised that the incident occurred...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Environmentalists have filed an application in the Supreme Court to discontinue a judicial review of the government’s approvals for Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) to drill an exploratory well in Bahamian waters. The consent order filed yesterday requests that the judicial review action is discontinued and that each party bears its own costs. In January, Save the Bays...

Sickout believed to be related to overcrowded hospitals and honorariums  BPSU chief says he was unaware of the matter but wished the workers well NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Services at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) were impacted from 8am yesterday after several employees called in sick from both institutions. Princess Margaret Hospital. As a result of...

Health minister: The healthcare sector has come through challenges before and will continue to do so NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While the 146 coronavirus patients in hospitals on New Providence and Grand Bahama have pushed the healthcare system over capacity, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government and health officials will get creative in responding to the health crisis. Hospitalized...

Single largest tranche of vaccines received to date, with more on the way “The Bahamas now has the vaccines to meet the demand that exists” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As The Bahamas received its first tranche of 128,000 donated Pfizer vaccines doses from the United States yesterday, Minister of Health Renward Wells said herd immunity in the country could be achieved...