New infections on New Providence drop by 42 percent
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The number of new cases of the novel coronavirus reported in The Bahamas fell 29 percent last week.
The Bahamas recorded 187 new cases last week, down from the 259 cases recorded the week before.
New Providence also experienced a 42 percent decline in cases last week, the fifth straight week of declines for the island, according to data gleaned from the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 dashboards.
New Providence recorded 55 cases last week, compared to the 95 cases recorded the week prior.
There were 114 cases on New Providence during the period November 1-7.
This represents a 54 percent drop over the 250 cases recorded on the island between October 25 and 31; a 54 percent decline compared to the 544 cases confirmed between October 18 and 24; and a seven percent fall in cases over the 586 new infections confirmed between October 11 and October 17.
New Providence, where the majority of the population resides, has had 5,460 cases.
In the last several days, with the exception of November 19 and 22, the island has recorded single-digit cases of COVID-19, a contrast to the high double-digit and triple-digit cases recorded on the island last month. New Providence recorded 12 cases on November 19, and 10 on November 22.
New cases on Grand Bahama also declined last week — the first for the month after a rapid climb during the first two weeks of November.
Last week, Grand Bahama recorded 79 cases.
This represents a 20 percent declined compared to the week prior.
The island recorded 99 cases between November 8 and 14, a 76 percent increase over the 56 new infections confirmed between November 1 and 7, and a 133 percent increase in cases compared to the week October 25 to 31, where 24 new infections were confirmed.
It remains unclear what led to the surge in cases on Grand Bahama or what can be attributed to the decrease last week.
Amid the upward trend observed in late October, Grand Bahama Health Services Administrator Sharon Williams urged Grand Bahamians to adhere to all health guidelines, noting that the number of cases had been low on the island in the weeks before.
Grand Bahama became the epicenter for the virus in July and early August, outpacing New Providence in daily cases.
The island underwent a two-week lockdown on August 3.
The measure was later extended for another week.
The lockdown was attributed to the flattening of the curve on the island.
Grand Bahama remains on a 9pm to 5am curfew.
New Providence and Abaco remain under a 9pm to 5am curfew on weekdays and a 6pm to 5am curfew on weekends.
Abaco and New Providence were placed under a curfew and complete weekend lockdowns since October 9 to mitigate the surge of cases on both islands in September and early-October.
The Bahamas has been under a state of public emergency since March 17.
Last week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis tabled a resolution that seeks to extend the emergency orders to December 28.
The resolution is expected to be debated this week.
Yesterday, another 18 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in The Bahamas: 10 on New Providence, three on Grand Bahama, three on Exuma, one ion Abaco and one on Andros.
There have been 7,431 infections in The Bahamas.
A total of 1,562 cases remain active while 5,652 have recovered.
This represents a recovery rate of 76 percent.
The death toll stands at 163.
There were zero confirmed COVID-19 deaths last week, compared to nine deaths the week prior.
However, 22 deaths remain under investigation.
