NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister explained that the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at 92.

“Of that number, 72 are in New Providence, eight in Grand Bahama, 11 in Bimini and one in Cat Cay.  There were no new cases reported today,” Dr. Dahl-Regis stated during the COVID-19 Update Press Conference held at the Ministry of Health, Thursday, May 7, 2020.

She noted that the number of recovered cases has increased by five, bringing the total to 31. Active cases are at 50. Deaths remain at 11.

The Task Force Coordinator added that hospitalized cases remain at eight. A total of 1,539 tests have been completed.

She stated that Bimini has been deemed a hotspot, explaining that for the period from April 29 to May 2, 2020, members of the Surveillance Team travelled to Bimini with health education support, in order to:

• meet with medical personnel;
• assist with identifying contacts of confirmed cases;
• visit the Government quarantine facility;
• enforce infection prevention and control strategies;
• conduct testing; and
• host a town hall meeting via Zoom on Friday, May 1.  A total of 190 households participated.

Dr. Dahl-Regis explained that during that visit, a total of 37 people were swabbed for COVID-19, and three tested positive.

“To date, a total of 78 people on Bimini have been tested, and 11 have been found positive.

“We have heard the recommendation to quarantine Bimini for two weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is being given serious consideration at this time.”

She noted that healthcare workers continue to make progress. The daily number of confirmed cases has not increased above five.

“We have had multiple periods with no new confirmed cases. Specifically, in Grand Bahama, we recorded a two-week period when no confirmed cases were reported.”

Dr. Dahl-Regis said, “As indicators reveal, the epidemiological curve has shown periods of flattening over the past few weeks based on the compliance of Bahamians to the lockdowns and curfews.”