by Linda Straker
- First Covid-19-related death occurred in January 2021
- Ministry of Health confirmed second death late Monday night
- 257 active cases are categorised as local cases
Health Minister Nickolas Steele has confirmed that he broke down in tears after learning of Grenada’s second Covid-19 related death. The first death occurred in January 2021.
Minister Delma Thomas who is responsible for Hospital Services wrote on her Facebook page early Tuesday morning, “Minister Steele I know how you feeling. It was painful, but God will continue to strengthen us in this difficult time. We are human so your crying isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and you have trying to be strong and tough on us to understand the magnitude of this virus for too long.”
The Ministry of Health confirmed the second death via a news release late Monday night. “It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Health confirms Grenada’s second Covid-19 related death. More details will be provided after the family has been notified.”
The deceased is Nordica George of Gouyave, St John, the wife of a pastor. She was battling other medical ailments. Gouyave which is the town of the parish of St John, on the western side of the island is one of the communities with a significant number of Covid-19 positive cases.
A few hours before the death was announced, the Ministry reported that there were 104 new cases of Covid-19 in Grenada, bringing the total number of active cases to 267. Ten of the active cases are imported, while the remaining 257 are categorised as local cases.
Last week, Dr Shawn Charles Acting Chief Medical Officer declared that there was some degree of community spread on the island as the cases began to spike, and there was no clear indication of how the infection was transmitted.
In a parliamentary session in July 2021, Steele warned that unless there was a significant uptake in individuals becoming vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine, as well as complying with health and safety Covid-19 protocols, many Grenadians were going to die from Covid-19.
Covid doesn’t care what your politics or personal beliefs are, it’s a virus, as such, it will infect anyone it comes into contact with. The most effective way to stem the spread is common sense.
Getting vaccinated is the most effective, but remember, it’s not an instant fix, it takes two weeks to take effect once you’ve gotten the shot, and both Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines require a two shot routine to work effectively. That said, now that the virus is here, it will be around for awhile, get vaccinated.
Otherwise, common sense practices can stem the spread. Wear a mask in public, thus doesn’t protect the individual wearing it but helps prevent spreading it to others. Wash your hands, viruses can exist on surfaces and can be picked up by any surface you touch, also, don’t touch your face or mouth with your hands.
Please cover a sneeze or cough, it’s not just a health suggestion, it’s common courtesy.
All those things mother taught you at 6 years old actually work.
Let’s not argue about who or how it got here, it was inevitable, but now that it’s here, let’s all work together to stem the tide and protect our loved ones.
This just proves how some of us are so selfish and not thinking about others God please help Grenada
How come grenada have covid 19 in the fust place. From which pat of the world a torices bring this covid 19 in to grenada. And what step grenada grovement has taken to make shore that covid 19 did not spread. I would like answer to this ? AS FOR ME who was born in grenada and nowing people who is pass are way. and no grovment. In the hole world will not explane weare this covid19 come from. Is it a setup to get millions of people dead . So as a blackman who live on this earth for over 60 yeares the white man all of them liles who have power over us .as for the health mester. And the grovement of grenada. No that people who goes out they every day to make a living for they familey and now they cannot is grenada grovement would stop our people paying land tax for the older people hover 50 on words . If not why. Not.
Very sad for the family & friends that they have lost a loved one. Why do people have to deflect from Covid being the cause of death? Accusing the deceased of being obese etc. Why are people such ghouls? They claim to be Godly but their words prove they are not.
What I’ve seen across the Caribbean are gov’t given into to the narrative of the person had “other aliments” like high blood pressure and diabetes. Even though the person may have these aliments, this is not what brought them to the hospital for treatment and sadly death. In SVG they called Covid testing centers Flu clinics. They fuel the argument that Covid does not exist.
Linda straker you made some good points. It’s time we face reality. Time for people to accept respond for their actions.
Condolences to the family. I wish they would publish those who died as a result of taking the Covid 19 shot . Why isn’t Steele mourning them?
Its a shame Grenada is experiencing the worst outbreak since the pandemic started, but we all have to get our act together by following all the necessary protocol in placed to protect ourselves and others. The government of Grenada did their best to stop the spread but Grenadians feel it is their rights to do as they pleased. Now the innocent ones are paying the price. Nevertheless, the government could try to reverse the outbreak by shutting the country down for 14 days. Once the virus flatten the curve on the island, lets see who within their character will act as a fool without wearing a mask in public and doing social distancing. This is a good awaken for all to see that Grenada was not exempt from community spread with Covid-19. As the ole folks said, ” who don’t listen, will feel.”
Sonia,
All persons entering Grenada are fully vaccinated. Grenadians must get vaccinated!
Linda’s journalism. Always a poor standard
So regrettably the lady was battling other ailments. This is a constant theme of this retched illness. Obesity combined with all its associated complications being high on the list of causal factors for death. For many Covid is merely the last push on a terminal journey rather than the actual cause of death.
Sincere condolences to family and friends of the deceased. We all know the pain of losing a loved one.
Peterson, your overall point is well taken, but stating that Covid is “…merely the last push” is a passive attempt at misinformation on your part and I must say a bit inconsiderate.
Honestly Linda Straker.
Is that how you report the new – like a novel……. Is that the mandate now to increase sensationalism.