COVID-19 has spread to nearly every major island of The Bahamas

COVID-19 has spread to nearly every major island of The Bahamas

No cases on San Salvador and Ragged Island

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In just two months, the novel coronavirus has spread to nearly every major island of The Bahamas.

As of July 1, there were 104 cases of the virus dispersed across four islands — New Providence with 82, Grand Bahama with eight, Bimini with 13 and Cat Cay with one case.

At the time, 89 cases had recovered and no cases were hospitalized.

The Bahamas had not recorded a new infection since June 18, prompting health officials to pronounce that the curb had been flatted after nearly three months of restrictions, including a border closure, 24-hour curfew and weekend lockdowns.

July 1 marked the return of international commercial carriers to The Bahamas.

Since then, 2,276 cases have been recorded across 14 major islands with 97 cases pending locations.

San Salvador and Ragged Island remain the only major islands that have yet to record a case of the virus.

Long Island recorded its first case on Sunday.

Mayaguana recorded its first two cases on Monday.

Grand Bahama saw a rapid rise in cases around July 14, just two weeks after the resumption of international commercial carriers.

On July 23, cases on the island exceeded New Providence for the first time – jumping from 81 to 120.

New Providence had just 119 cases at the time.

By the end of July, Grand Bahama had 286 cases to New Providence’s 232.

Cases continued to surge on both islands and had begun spreading to other islands.

Cat Island recorded its first couple of cases on July 21, and the Berry Islands followed a day later.

On July 23, cases were confirmed in Moore’s Island.

Great Guana Cay had its first infection recorded on July 24.

Exuma followed with one case on July 26.

Mainland Abaco recorded its first infection on July 28.

By August 8, Eleuthera had also seen its first case of COVID-19.

The following day, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis lifted lockdown and curfew measures on the southern islands, including Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Long Island, Rum Cay and Ragged Island.

On August 17, however, the prime minister announced a complete lockdown in New Providence and an extension of an ongoing two-week lockdown in Grand Bahama for another week.

At the time of the announcement, there were 731 cases in New Providence — up 70 percent compared to the 428 cases in New Providence seven days before.

Acklins and Crooked Island had yet to record cases at the time.

Amid bitter protest over the lack of time to prepare, the decision to impose a complete lockdown was reversed a day later.

Inagua recorded its first case on August 11, followed by Andros on August 15, and Acklins on August 21.

On August 22, Crooked Island got its first two cases of the virus.

The next day, cases with pending locations nearly doubled from 34 to 67.

In an address on August 24, the prime minister said he had no regrets, insisting the lockdown decision was made to contain the “explosion” of cases on New Providence and protect Family Islands with older populations.

Of the 2,276 total cases, New Providence continues to lead cases in the country with 1,427 followed by Grand Bahama with 554.

There were also 70 cases in Abaco, 53 in Bimini, 15 in the Berry Islands, eight in Cat Island, 19 in Exuma, 11 in Inagua, seven in Eleuthera, seven in Acklins, one in Andros, two in Crooked Island, three in Long Island, two in Mayguana and 97 cases pending locations.

The death toll from the virus stands at 46 with seven deaths being classified as non-COVID-related — those with COVID who died from another illness — and 14 deaths that were under investigation.

As of July 1, there 11 COVID-related-deaths.

There have been 12 deaths in the last week, including four that were under investigation and two deaths classified as a non-COVID-related

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.