Established October 1895 New tiers set up for testing – Page 3 Saturday January 9, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive Patient zero not yet identified LOCAL health authorities say patient zero has not been identified however, there investigations remain ongoing to identify the source of the COVID-19 clusters. This was shared as they spoke on a call-in radio programme on Friday. Speaking specifically to the situation, Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Arthur Phillips stated authorities are hopeful to trace patient zero. “There is a lot of work ongoing but what has been important for us is noting the interlinkages between the various clusters that we have been finding. So that work continues in terms of mapping the clusters and making sure that we can identify the linkages and potential index cases.” He added, “We are not currently at a place Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley says her government is working to expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines for about four where we will agree key front-line workers and by this weekend these could be administered to the recipients, if successfully procured. there is community spread. There are multiple clusters. We are satisfied that there are linkages between clusters that we have identified. We have not yet identified the patient GOV’T WORKING zero. Work is continuing and yes, we have to get to the point where we Four recipients may receive say we know exactly where this started and how this started or we vaccine this weekend are not quite as sure. So SWIFTLY that really is the THE Government of in relation to the current through them in indicated we are seeking come back to the country focus of the work in Barbados is working COVID-19 pandemic. particular, she has been to get far more than that and indicate if we are terms of the contact to expedite access to Noting that she had seeking to see how best and in fact, we are in a successful, who are the tracing. As Dr. [Kenneth] COVID-19 vaccines been in contact with Dr. her government can position now where we four or so people who will George would have initially for about four Carissa Etienne, expedite access to the believe that we can as get it, while we continue mentioned, it is a key front-line workers Director of the Pan required vaccines.To early as this weekend be to be able to over the next significant undertaking. and by this weekend American Health date, the PM said that able to access just a few weeks be able to see We are optimistic to say these could be Organisation (PAHO) the government has paid handful, that will allow if we can procure that we can map this in administered to the and Dr.Tedros Adhanom just under Bds $5 million us to be able to ensure (vaccines) for the a way that demonstrates recipients, if Ghebreyesus, Director- via the COVAX facility that those persons who majority of front-line the linkages and if not successfully procured. General of the World for vaccines, which are are completely on the personnel and the actual patient zero Prime Minister of Health Organisation due to come for 20 per front-line, can go about vulnerable populations, be likely sourced. That is Barbados Mia Amor (WHO) who she noted cent of the population. their tasks having that we need to get it for,” where we are.” Mottley indicated the had both been “a source She meanwhile noted, received the first vaccine. the Prime Minister PATIENT ZERO on above yesterday, during of tremendous support”, “I spoke to you on “We are deep in further commented. Page 4 an address to the nation, Mottley revealed that Monday evening and discussions with it. I will VACCINE on Page 3 2 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate QEH clinics relocated to Belleville Compound SEVERAL clinics of the the institution continues to space for the Accident & Director of Medical Services “In order to do that we have to Queen Elizabeth Hospital ensure patient safety. Emergency. at the QEH, Dr. Clyde Cave ask for your co-operation in (QEH) have been relocated Already, the Accident & “In the last occasion we would therefore asked for the public’s things that are different and to a new site. Emergency Department have been able to move these co-operation as the hospital perhaps difficult. The change in Executive Chairman Juliette effective January 4, was clinics within the hospital. continues to treat persons behaviour is always an Bynoe-Sutherland advised the separated into two sections at However,as all of you are aware presenting to them with various important thing that any plan to public during a live broadcast the Martindale’s Road facility. the pressures on beds does not ailments. address a new problem has to on Thursday that effective Lower ground for Triage, allow us the opportunity to have According to Dr. Cave, “There overcome… We are asking you Friday, January 8, 2021, the Isolation, and Respiratory case these clinics within the hospital are still more people in our to come into the hospital less Antenatal Clinic, Haematology review and treatment. And because we really need to country who are sick from other often and to phone in instead. Clinic, Ear, Nose and Throat ground floor Lions for regular maintain the number and levels things than from COVID. We are asking you not to visit in (ENT) and Paediatrics are emergency operations. of beds – so, we do not have the “So, while COVID-19 is the usual numbers. We are operating from the QEH’s 6th “Persons may know the new delays in A&E because of important we still have to look trying to find ways, so you don’t Avenue Belleville Compound. location as the old Pine Dental inadequate bed compliment, so after, in a safer manner as have to come in for your usual This arrangement, which is Clinic building. So, persons with we decided to set these clinics off possible, those patients who appointments or to receive your been brought about by the appointments in the mentioned site for the next three to six depend on us for treatment and medication. But, again working ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, clinics will have a new location months,” Mrs. Bynoe- sometimes lifesaving together is how we overcome may last three to six months as so that we can get access to that Sutherland explained. treatment.” this,” he said. (TL) Several clinics of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) have been relocated to a new site. COVID-19 testing Bikers bring Christmas and New Year facility closed cheers to more than 40 families this weekend THE Ministry of Health and BLACK Knight Bikers, is not President Fabian Reeves Tridents, another bike group. Society for the Prevention of Wellness has advised that the just about stunts and wheelies, lamented the glow on the faces He says they received Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) new COVID-19 testing facility, but for giving back and making of the recipients who he says sterling contributions from and Mount Pisgah Spiritual which is located at the Best-dos a difference. The local bike were several companies, but he is Baptist Church. Santos Public Health group continues to engage in chosen by members of the appealing to corporate He says the group in Laboratory, will be closed on projects and programmes that group. “We asked members to Barbados to give more when 2021 will focus its Saturday, January 9, and raise the profile of bikers and submit names of those who they can, “no matter how small attention on its Anti-Bullying Sunday, January 10. It will remove the stereotype. they believe are in need to because we love giving to these Campaign, Mentoring resume services on Monday, For the third year, they receive these hampers which in need”. of Young Boys Programme and January 11. distributed hampers to more we consider a Christmas Over the season they along will also be hosting some fund- The closure does not affect the than 40 families in the parishes donation, but a New Year start.” with another organisation was raising events, and he is operation of the laboratory, of Bridgetown, St. Michael, The gesture also had support able to make donations to the seeking the support of all which continues to run samples Christ Church, and St. Phillip. from members of The Barbados Royal Barbadians. daily. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 3 New tiers set up for testing WITH an upsurge in After being able to week or more for their elder care facilities. These local spread of COVID- guarantee results from results, it was revealed persons can expect 19 in Barbados, the testing within 24 hours that tests were now being their results within 24 Ministry of Health and for some time, the latest broken down into four hours. Wellness has been wave of testing, which classes. The second tier will see forced to implement a was brought on by Category 1 will cater to inbound and outbound new system for testing. clusters created by medical officers, primary visitors also getting their Speaking during an persons who broke contacts of positive cases, results within 24 hours. address to the public quarantine, saw a major policemen, inmates of Secondary and tertiary yesterday, Minister Lt. backlog as the Best Dos HMP Dodds, soldiers, all contacts to positive cases Col. Jeffrey Bostic Santos Lab became medical personnel, border were named as Category outlined the new overwhelmed by vast security, immigration 3 and can expect their protocols for testing numbers.