After a successful launch of its free COVID-19 testing pilot program in Inagua on 20 October 2021, the government, in partnership with Dr. Tyneil Cargill and his team at Bay Street Medical, traveled to North Eleuthera on Wednesday 27 October, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on the island.
“We share the government’s free testing vision and mandate and wish to reiterate our strong belief that free COVID antigen mass testing for all Bahamians represents a core component in this fight against the coronavirus” said Dr. Cargill during his two-day stay on the island.
Free rapid antigen testing was offered to residents of North Eleuthera in the settlements of Harbour Island, Gregory Town and Lower Bogue due to the spike of COVID-19 cases recorded in those areas.
“Many admitted that the free testing program brought them peace of mind to know their COVID-19 status”, said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Michael Darville in his communication in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, as he explained the effectiveness of the program thus far.
Free rapid antigen testing remains a key component of the Government’s plan to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout The Bahamas.
In conjunction with the free testing program, the Government plans to enhance its COVID-19 response by strengthening public health surveillance through contact tracing, focusing on the case management of those who’ve tested positive, increasing public health education and promoting the vaccination of eligible citizens and residents.
Today, representatives from the Ministry of Health are on the ground in the Berry Islands to complete the final phase of testing for the pilot program.
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