#BTColumn – Crying for my beloved country
Article by January 27, 2021
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.
by
Roderick P Harris
I am aggrieved. As a vulnerable Barbadian with underlying health issues, my life has been placed in danger by the stubbornness of this Government. While many countries – big and small – have closed their borders to stave off further spread of the coronavirus, this Government has done the country an injustice. And, sadly, I see no point in closing it now that the proverbial horse has bolted.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic both apologised to Barbadians yesterday for a breakdown in the timely return of COVID-19 test results due to the increase in swabbing done all this week. Both said they understood why Barbadians, in their anxiety, had flocked to know their status as it related to the disease, especially after Government indicated last week its intention to get to the …
Bostic says sorry for test delays
Article by December 23, 2020
Minister of Health Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic has publicly apologised for a backlog of COVID-19 test results.
The minister told a news conference on Tuesday that the delay was caused by the increased number of travellers due to the winter season, putting additional pressure on the Best-dos Santos Lab to produce results within 48 hours.
Lt. Col. Bostic said: “This has resulted in some delays with the processing of tests and the dissemination of test results.
“We are not happy with the current situation because we believe in excellence.
“We believe that we can do better. We believe that even with the increase in numbers that we can still provide results within a 24-hour period. But in order to do so, we need additional resources.”
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Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic apologised to visitors and Barbadians for delays at the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory in processing COVID-19 results within the 24- to 48-hour window and gave the assurance this would improve “in the coming days”.
Bostic was speaking during a media briefing from Ilaro Court on Tuesday evening. It was streamed across social media and he was accompanied by Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins.
The Minister said Government recognised there would be a need for increased testing during the winter season, but there were challenges at the lab which resulted in delays. This caused some visitors and returning nationals to spend more time than was anticipated in the designated quarantine hotels.