Field hospital is immediate need for Grenada as COVID-19 surge, says PM Mitchell

Grenada: Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell called upon regional leaders to work closer together to manage the spread of COVID-19 in the Caribbean, during the 16th Emergency Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Governments. With the steep incline in the COVID-19 cases and deaths experienced in the country, PM Mitchell shared the current situation of global pandemic in Grenada. He flagged an immediate need of field hospital in Grenada as a pressing need of the hour, a call he said was repeatedly outlined during Monday’s dialogue.

He added that since the beginning of coronavirus, Grenadians were spectating the devastation across the world, “But now the problem has arrived on our doorsteps, and compared to other countries, we are at even worse position.”

He acknowledged that Grenada has witnessed widespread infections of COVID-19 causing death to several. “The situation is dire and we need urgent support for our medical professionals,” he added.

Expressing fear over-exhaustion of the medical system in the country, PM again emphasized on the dire need of field hospital for medical professionals in the country. The overrun of the healthcare system in Grenada could place a serious situation for people suffering from coronavirus disease. Grenada has confirmed 2,646 cases of COVID-19 in the country since the country recorded its first case and currently, there are 2,063 active cases. The island country reported only 1 death for a long time and the number jumped to 35 deaths in only few weeks.

PM Mitchell cited a greater need of regional collaboration regarding the hesitancy of vaccines across the region. “We need to collectively and strategically identify messages that reach our Caribbean nationals.”

He called upon the head of the governments to onboard stakeholders of the religious community, business leaders, trade union leaders and all others. “We must engage in discussions and come up with a joint position,” so that governments can speak as one voice to tackle the COVID-19 virus.