NASSAU, Bahamas, April 28, 2020 — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday (April 27) revealed that the government plans to use technology to track people in quarantine and to impose severe punishment on those breaking isolation rules. In a wide-ranging speech in the House of Assembly, he also outlined steps to gradually reopen the country and to bring home Bahamians stuck abroad.
Breaking quarantine could result in a $20,000 fine or up to five years in prison, or both, he said. He also touted statistical analysis suggesting the country’s drastic social distancing rules have reduced the number of deaths and confirmed COVID-19 cases which would have otherwise occurred by now, according to an article written by Rashad Rolle in The Tribune, one of The Bahamas’ leading newspapers.
The Prime Minister’s communication came before Parliament passed a resolution to extend his 24-hour curfew and restrictions until May 30.
Citing information provided by Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, coordinator of the country’s COVID-19 response, Dr Minnis said the health team has worked with experts to show that after restrictive measures were imposed, the country averted at least 23 cases by April 9 and prevented what would have been 33 percent more deaths by that date.
“What they’re saying is that the measures we implemented were working and are working and have reduced the number of infected cases by 36 percent,” he said. “The aforementioned estimated reduction of 23 new cases translates into an estimated reduction of four deaths over this past week. This death reduction estimate is based on the country’s fatality record of eight deaths per 41 confirmed cases. Without the social distancing measures, we estimate the country would have recorded 12 deaths by Day 27. These unrealised deaths represent a 33 percent reduction in the number of estimated COVID-19 related deaths by Day 27. Further, the reduction of 23 cases indicates a reduction in the case load for the doctors and hospital resources, and demand for beds.” See complete Tribune article at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/apr/28/pm-paints-roadmap-back-normality-warns-read-my-lip/
