About 5,000 people tested for COVID-19 in Barbados

Barbados has tested 4,921 persons on 28th May 2020.

Received the results for 166 tests today, all of were negative, the Minister of Health was pleased to report that in terms of distributed tests Barbados has now past the 5,000-mark, and that is "one of the highest numbers in CARICOM [the Caribbean Community]".

This information was given as he addressed at tonight's press conference following a meeting held by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley along with representatives of all the major unions on island.

Bostic said that with these tests, they are better prepared to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Barbados' per cent positivity rate is 0.019.

According to the minister, COVID-19 has been contained in Barbados. However, the public is yet encouraged to adhere to public health protocols since we will still be battling with the virus for a while.

As we "live with COVID-19", he stated: "We must still be cognizant of what is happening around us, be our brother's keeper, ensure that we do everything possible within our households, within our communities, within places of worship, business places, public spaces. If we continue to do the right things, I am satisfied that based on what we are seeing here in Barbados at this point in time, that we will be able to live relatively comfortable in this new normal that we are facing".

The minister further reiterated a point he has stressed time and time again, that "a lockdown will not cure the pandemic", and therefore as more restrictions are lifted, he posited reopening the country "will not cause a spike".

But, in the absence of a vaccine, he called on Barbadians to adhere to the health laws and protocols set in place because that "is our best hope" of beating COVID-19 now.