Even as Barbados and the rest of the world are gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, of no less importance is the crippling tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) seemingly on the sidelines.Oddly enough, COVID-19 has reinforced why NCDs – lifestyle diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart and kidney ailments are major threats.We have all the evidence that those with the viral illness are at greatest risk of being severely sickened and even dying as those living with NCDs.And just today, this point was again made as health officials confirmed that Barbados recorded its 47th death from the coronavirus. A 67-year-old woman who had comorbidities succumbed to the viral illness on Monday night at the Harrison Point facility after being admitted on May 6 and spending 12 days in isolation – nine of which were on a ventilator.