by Linda Straker
- More than 300 kits expected to come from 3 sources
- To date, Grenada has received 10 negative Covid-19 results
- Grenada in negotiation for nurses and treatment from Cuba
With almost half of the first 25 Covid-19 test kits already used, Minister for Health, Nickolas Steele, said that Grenada will be receiving additional kits to conduct tests on persons who were exposed through contact tracing or who are suspected, based on symptoms while seeking medical care.
The additional kits, more than 300, are expected to come from 3 sources: a donation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean, the Chinese Government, and purchasing from a company which supplies the kits.
“We have already made that order from the company that supplies the kits,” said Dr George Mitchell. The recently appointed Covid-19 Coordinator explained that regarding to the testing machine, government is prepared to have someone physically go to the company producing the machines and return with one. The orders for machines are in great demand from countries, but transportation challenges around the world are making it difficult for the delivery of supplies.
Grenada will also be receiving nurses from Cuba, and is presently in negotiation for the supplies of the treatment that Cuba has developed to treat Covid-19 positive cases.
To date, Grenada has received 10 negative results from tests done and is awaiting results of a few more tests which are conducted at the Carpha lab in Trinidad. That lab is also conducting results for regional territories such as St Vincent and the Grenadines, and St Lucia, and testing is done in a queue. “This means we have to wait our turn for the result,” Dr Mitchell said.
The negative results came against the background of 2 persons from other territories confirmed as positive cases, with recent travel history to Grenada.
The Covid-19 pandemic is now described as a national threat, and last week, Minister for National Security, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, announced that schools will be closed for 2 weeks; there will be no visits to elderly homes nor the prison, and a reduction on mass gatherings. He also called for citizens to practice social distancing.
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Minister N Steele announced yesterday that all UK citizens will be refused entry as and from 23-59 hours on the 18th March…
Yet when the immigration office in MBIA were contacted today ….They had had no instructions forwarded to them so they were left completely in the dark !
Before these statements are made maybe the “minister” should inform the relevent dept’s and then release this public statement
Just an observation
As a grenadian , I know my people is very careful when come to sickness. If we afraid of rain! Well helooo we dont want that unseen covid19.I just pray the government stop allowing private plane and yacht on the island …God bless grenada and my people..
Good news. We now need to hear more public service announcements and periodic reminders via Flow and Digicel. I’m confident we can avoid a massive outbreak if we take the prescribed measures.
Blessings, Please continue to adhere to the new guidelines. The countries that had the ebola threat are practiced in conducting life safely with an invisible threat around. If we get this right we get right we good for whatever else comes.