Those complaints from visitors having to wait inordinate lengths of time to get COVID-19 results should start to ease soon, with more resources being made available to the Best Dos Santos Laboratory, Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins promised yesterday. During a press conference held on Zoom from Ilaro Court, Cummins said public health authorities and Government were working hand in hand to make sure test results were expedited. The …
COVID-19 rapid testing will be available at Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory from Tuesday for people travelling to the United Kingdom. Government has moved to facilitate rapid testing since the UK last week announced measures to protect against the new coronavirus variants. “Effective January 21, 2021 the UK will be requiring travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test for entry into the country. Outbound UK travellers requiring a Rapid Antigen …
Minister of Health and Wellness Colonel Jeffrey Bostic
The Government of Barbados wants to reassure those on the island that there has been some stabilization of the present COVID-19 situation, as contact tracing efforts remain ongoing.
Barbados recorded a major increase in cases between Friday, January 1, and Saturday, January 2. A total of 211 new positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded, representing results from both visitors and locals.
“I believe it is fair to say…that our situation seems to be stabilizing somewhat,” Chairman of the Cabinet COVID-19 Sub-Committee, Senator Dr Jerome Walcott remarked at the beginning of an interactive address to the nation on January 4.
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.