Established October 1895 Three workers at Geriatric Hospital test positive for COVID-19 PAGE 3 Friday February 5, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive GG and Chief Justice self-quarantining PM Mottley: GOVERNOR General Her said that the Governor General, came back few hours ago. She explained, “He is self- Captain Excellency Dame Sandra Mason whose first COVID test is nega- “But we had to move everyone quarantining, and this is largely Tom ‘a true has gone into self-quarantine, tive, will remain in self-quaran- out of Government House to as a result of someone who works having been exposed to the coro- tine until results are received allow for the in-depth sanitising with him displaying symptoms gentleman’ navirus disease by a member of from the second test. that has to take place. and is awaiting results of the test Government House staff who has She told the COVID-19 update Regrettably, because of the level to determine what is the best PAGE 5 tested positive. and press conference, “There was of exposure of the person and course of action. Also doing the same is Chief a member of the household staff viral load of the person, Her “Similarly, the public health Justice Sir Patterson Chelten- at Government House who Excellency will have to remain in officials have been in contact ham, as a precautionary meas- tested positive. And the public quarantine and her family until with Sir Patterson and they ure after one of his staff pre- health officials went in and con- the second test is done”. have all agreed that at this stage sented with symptoms. ducted the extensive contact As it relates to the Chief self-quarantining is all that Prime Minister of Barbados tracing, and the good news is Justice, Ms. Mottley further is required for him at this Mia Amor Mottley,who made the that on the first test she is fine; divulged that he however did not stage,” the Prime Minister dis- revelation yesterday evening, she is negative – the results require a COVID test. closed. Home gardening the way to go PAGE 6 Report: High levels of toxic heavy metals found in some baby foods PAGE 8 These UWI blackbirds are an integral part of the Operation Seek and Save. ON A MISSION OPERATION Seek and Save Operation Seek and Save gets going more likely to be able to prevent – the community-based inter- the onset of severe symptoms of Holder says vention being rolled out by all across Barbados to identify The primary objective of the in- COVID and reduce the likelihood he’s committed the Ministry of Health and persons who are COVID-positive tervention is to ensure that med- of death. Particular emphasis is Wellness – made its way into or at risk of COVID. ical professionals reach persons being placed on households with to WI, but a number of communities The collaborative effort with who are infected, at risk of infec- persons across wide age ranges, yesterday. The University of the West Indies tion or who would be particularly elderly members and those break was The programme, which is en- saw a number of UWI ‘blackbirds’ vulnerable to severe conse- with chronic non-communicable gaging health care specialists, hitting the ground to gather infor- quences when infected with diseases. needed other professionals and inter- mation from residents, which is COVID-19. If reached early, SEEK AND SAVE on viewers, will go into communities integral to local COVID 19 fight. health care professionals are Page 2 PAGE 26 2 • Friday February 5, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Students as they prepare to enter a home to carry out their questionnaire. Residents engaging one of the UWI interviewers. Barbadians urged to be upfront with interviewers SEEK AND SAVE from Page 1 something isn't right, shout it, chance of survival.” bing teams. However, recognis- swabbing of persons exhibiting because that's the only way we During the address, it was re- ing the need to have more volun- symptoms, and who would then Prime Minister Mia Amor are going to know to test you vealed that over 400 persons teers to be swabbers, a hotline be subject to the rapid antigen Mottley,in an address to the na- and to be able to save you at an have been trained by the UWI to has been set up via the Prime test. tion on Tuesday,made a plea for early stage. And Dr. [Corey] do the requisite questionnaires. Minister’s Office at 535-5352 to A team from The Barbados Barbadians to comply with the Forde and all the other doctors Initially, only 360 were needed, allow for more persons to step Advocate caught up with this personnel and be upfront if they have been consistent, that the but the others will serve as back- forward. team in the St. Michael districts have any symptoms. earlier we can catch persons ups, Mottley said. In addition, She said 15 teams would be of Brandon’s and Bridge Road “If something is wrong, say. If with the virus, the greater the there are also nine full swab- ideal in the field to carry out yesterday. The Barbados Advocate Friday February 5, 2021 • 3 Exemptions will be revoked if in breach BUSINESSES granted exemp- into the 14-day lockdown, the with on a case by case basis. tions to operate during this two- AG said having received no re- Speaking particularly on the week lockdown are being ports from the Royal Barbados opening of some minimarts, he warned that if they breach the Police Force, Barbadians are be- said an additional four have COVID-19 protocols, those priv- having “in an orderly fashion”. been placed on the list as some ileges will be revoked. However,he noted the Force is rural areas were lacking such a Attorney General Dale looking into reports of bread service. Marshall stated unequivocally vans being parked within some “We have a list of permitted yesterday during the Covid-19 communities, causing large minimarts. I can say to you that update, “Where exemptions numbers of individuals to even though the list was pub- have been granted, if any of gather. lished last weekend, the occa- those entities run afoul of the “This presents a problem for sion has arisen, based on fur- established protocols, we will us. So things of that sort we are ther consultation and strong not hesitate to revoke the ex- going to be monitoring very representation, that there are a emption, plain and simple. carefully. Bread depots have number of rural areas that are “That doesn’t just apply to been allowed specifically to not easily satisfied by shopping minimarts. It applies to compa- open. In rural areas, we have facilities nearby, and we have nies that we allowed to do busi- not made a ruling on vehicles, therefore added an additional ness of any kind. If you breach but if it comes to that we will four minimarts to complement the protocols, rest assured that have to come back and stipulate those that have been brought in we are going to revoke any ex- that they are not allowed to be by way of exemption,” Marshall emption that you might have,” on the road,” he stressed. stated. he stated. Marshall also said persons The updated list will be pub- Giving an update on the is- continue to apply for emergency lished this weekend. land’s handling of first two days passes and these are being dealt (JMB) Attorney General, Dale Marshall. Three workers at Geriatric Hospital test positive for COVID-19 THREE staff members of were therefore immediately the Geriatric Hospital, also under way as that individual known as the St. Michael was on a ward which had District Hospital, have about 16 persons in addition to tested positive for COVID- staff. 19. “The Minister of Health and Prime Minister Mia Amor the CMO would have advised Mottley made this announce- me that we have an issue with ment after being advised of the three persons at the Geriatric results of the two kitchen Hospital, and therefore they staff workers and one nurse, are literally now aggressively by Minister of Health and doing the contact tracing, and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley (INSET) revealed yesterday that Wellness Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic will do and take the necessary three staff members at the Geriatric Hospital (above) have tested and Chief Medical Officer Dr. action to be able to put the staff positive for COVID-19. Kenneth George, yesterday on rotation to protect all of the evening. residents, who by the way were tients, we have three persons accommodation, more quaran- Last week, the Health all tested and all came back that have come back positive”. tine facilities for them, as is Minister announced during the negative,” she disclosed. Given the need for staff of the necessary. And at the same COVID-19 press conference “We had an issue last week facility to quarantine, Prime time, we are asking the staff that one patient had tested that Minister Bostic would Minister Mottley further dis- there to meet, in addition to positive for the viral illness. have raised, and he took pre- closed, “We are in the process of having had the contact tracing The patient was isolated and emptive action there. And the looking to see how we can facil- completed, for them to be able tested on developing symp- testing that was done of all the itate those staff members in to literally advise what is the toms. Contact tracing efforts overall staff and overall pa- terms of accessing more hotel best course of action.” Health Minister: Now is not the time to question and criticise ONE minister is urging several months.