Grenada’s Covid-19 case count increased by 35 as of 4:30 pm on Wednesday, as the Ministry of Health continued its aggressive contact tracing and testing efforts in the wake of clusters being identified among residents.
The new cases bring to 265, the total number of cases recorded in Grenada since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. All but one of the new cases are among persons with no recent travel history.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Shawn Charles explained that the rapid rise in case numbers is not unexpected, as scientific data shows that cases will start off small, explode, and then decrease.
Dr Charles said now, more than ever, it is important for the population to continue following the recommended protocols. He said, “Although the numbers are rising, we still have an opportunity to manage the number of additional cases we record, but we can only do that if persons are responsible and follow the recommended protocols. Wear your mask or appropriate face covering in public spaces, avoid mass gatherings and wash or sanitise hands frequently. Vaccination is also available as a method of protection and I encourage persons to utilise one of the 2 options we have here in Grenada. The magnitude of the pandemic has left many healthcare systems overwhelmed, we do not want to arrive at that point in Grenada, but our actions will determine whether or not that happens.”
Health officials are still sifting through the data relating to the cases, but there is confirmation of at least one case in the Ministerial Complex. There is also confirmation of a positive case in the agriculture sector and the Ministry of Agriculture has since closed propagation stations in St Andrew and St David.
Health officials are continuing the herculean task of tracing contacts and testing scores of individuals who have been in close proximity with confirmed cases.
GIS
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To follow on my comment. Having been a a soldier as well as a medic, before I did my training as a Registered General Nurse I was involved in quite a few incidents involving deadly Viruses. With the vaccine for Covid immunity, yes ,there is a very small chance of catching the illness, though in a lower severity of symptoms. Danger of pregnancy problems is very minimal and far below the levels of still births that are quite frequent, whereas very very rare to have after vaccination. I know this sounds, to some people as being brutal, but should vaccinate themselves, as well as any adolescents in the family, to minimise the risks to both child and mother. Take the chance because you can obviously try again. There is usually a secondary problem that can affect the life of the unborn child if they die from the virus due to the fact that they may have a hidden physical problem that weakens the child in the womb.
As a retired senior nurse in the UK I am completely behind the vaccination against Covid.
Has anyone noticed that since the new entry rules on vaccinated only visitors and vaccinated only workers /students at SGU and in the hospitality industry how the numbers has risen?
This is very interesting as it seems that the vaxxed are the ‘superspreaders’ ( new buzz word used so constantly).
Community spread of an infection don’t just appear out of thin air, someone has to bring the virus in. Therefore, it could only mean one thing…there is a wider picture here, people.
Keep safe…hygiene, hygiene and more hygiene with a good dose of common sense thrown in.
What about the unvaccinated Grenadians returning home? Some of the spikes are associated with house parties held for them.
EVERYONE coming into Grenada from away needs to be double vaxxed, including returning nationals
Vaccinated people carry the same viral load as unvaccinated people FACT. Minister Steele said in a recent meeting that vaccinated persons stay for two days in quarantine whereas unvaccinated persons quarantine for 10-14 days. If the viral load is the same for both persons therefore can spread the virus equally then why are the quarantine times so different. If we go back to the same quarantine time frames for both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons then Grenadians will not have any near the same level of threat as it currently does with the 2 day quarantine.
Quarantine for ANY person should be equal to the incubation period for the virus PERIOD. When this happens the virus in caught before that person spreads in within our community PERIOD. Borders remain open and Grenadians go about there business. Why are we making this so difficult.
As for following protocols. We’ve seen Steele reiterate over and over again about working together and wearing our masks and following protocols etc etc yet that same minister Steele was seen in a car with a individual who had recently travelled without wearing his mask. His response was that he will pay a fine like everyone else rather than acknowledge the fact that every person in that vehicle would have been in contact with many people and potentially exposed hundreds they had come in contact with over the period.
Let’s face it…. protocols are not so easy to follow when we’ve lived a free life for so long even our health minister fails to follow protocols.
Catch the virus in quarantine and do not let it out into our community PERIOD
I wish to thank the hardworking health officials for their unselfish work to protect Grenada from the negative effects of the pandemic and only prey this selflessness will cause the unvaccinated to do their task and get vaccinated
The Vaccine doesn’t stop you from getting Covid so why take it. Might as well stick a syringe filled with water in my hand.
The vaccine protects 90% of those vaccinated, the 10% who may contract it will have less severe symptoms. I keep repeating this – of the 7,000 people hospitalised in the UK with Delta variant, 95% have NOT been vaccinated, only 5% HAVE been vaccinated. Which part of this do people not understand? None of the vaccines have ever claimed to be 100% effective, no medicines, vaccine or antibiotics ever are. The Influenza vaccine is only 50% effective.
Grenadian people 35 new cases it’s all your fault because you did carnival stupid people we have no sympathy for you lot you stupid people
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Shawn Charles explained that the rapid rise in case numbers is not unexpected, as scientific data shows that cases will start off small, explode, and then decrease. Based on this scientific data are we going to measure this explosion by hundreds or thousands?
That all very much depends on how many people get vaccinated. If 70% to 80% of the population rapidly get vaccinated it will likely be in the hundreds. If we allow herd immunity to occur by virtue of getting infected then it is likely to be in the thousands.
It rtakes time for the vaccine to be effective. Even if the vaccine was actually safe and effective, 1 shot only really prepares your ystem, and it is at least 2 weeks after the second shot which should be around 3 weeks after the first that you have worthwhile protection. If you didn’t have it several weeks ago, it is basically too late. If you catch it between shots all you are doing is helping the virus to mutate.
But getting vaccinated does not prevent you from getting the virus,based on what they tell us so how does getting vaccinated stop the spread. They tell us that being vaccinated helps with the symptoms associated with the virus. Not stop us from getting the virus. This is my understanding.
I have watched and listened to presentations of the facts about Covid and how we might control it in Grenada. All very professionally done but not reaching the minds and hearts of so many Grenadians. There needs to be a new way to get to the guys at rum shops, small stores, any place where people gather or just visit through out the island. I have seen Grenadians really motivated on a village by village basis for only one thing Carnival. Is there a a big name Grenadian, not in government, not a scientist but a charismatic speaker and maybe a singer too that could challenge the people with some kind of contest where the village that gets the greatest percent of people vaccinated in the next month gets special recognition recognition with a lead spot in the next Jab Jab parade. Make Carnival our friend again instead of being portrayed as the enemy. Something needs to activate those thousands of Grenadians that I have shared paint with in years past. Who can do it. Who is the person just a bit on the shady side who can motivate the crowd. I have seen some of the old calypso guys work a crowd of older Grenadians with some great suggestive jokes. We need that kind of presentation “win the prize” get in the parade and save lives too boot.
They need to reach the religious crowd as well.
There is also a group of people who simply be afraid of getting a needle inserted into their deltoid muscle. Fear be powerful to them.
Of all that you heard or read does it say that you won’t catch covid if you are vaccinated.