Grenada faces community spread of COVID-19 virus

Grenada: The Ministry of Health has announced the community spread of COVID-19 in the country amid a continuous rise in positive cases. Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Shawn Charles stated that the current incline in COVID-19 cases in Grenada is the pattern that points out to the emergence of community spread. He added that health officials were unable to trace down many cases to any defined cluster or international traveller, which means that country is witnessing community spread. He also explained that earlier, Grenada reported positive cases of COVID-19 from specific clusters or people who came in direct contact with international travellers.

On Friday, Grenada confirmed 21 additional positive cases of the COVID-19 pandemic, which bring the total number of active cases to 126. Out of overall cases, 8 infected individuals were international travellers while others were an outcome of local transmission.

According to health officials, COVID-19 positive persons’ ages range between 4 to 71 years, and there are more females than males. They also added that majority of the positive cases are unvaccinated and are suffering from mild symptoms. The most common symptoms being faced by the people of Grenada are: Muscle and Body aches, Sore Throat, Runny Nose and Congestion. Some are also suffering from upset stomach, diarrhea and nausea.

Dr Charles added that people who contract the virus usually develop symptoms within 2 to 14 days of exposure to the virus, and he said that people must not rush to test immediately after exposure as the tests may provide false results.

Typically, the testing should be done between 5 to 7 days of exposure to the virus based on the incubation period.

He also assured people that there are no charges for getting the COVID-19 tests done in the country, and persons who may be exposed to the virus can call the COVID-19 helpline numbers released by the government or contact the local health centre.

Hotline Numbers: 538-4787 or 458-4787

Over 24,000 persons in the country have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and about 18,000 are fully vaccinated with Oxford AstraZeneca. While the Pfizer vaccine is also available to people and about 1,415 persons, have already been administered the vaccine.