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COVID-19 pandemic in Antigua and Barbuda

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COVID-19 pandemic in Antigua and Barbuda
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationAntigua and Barbuda
First outbreakWuhan, China
Arrival date10 March 2020
(4 years, 8 months and 2 weeks)
Active cases19 (as of 2021-01-14)[1]
Recovered152[1]
Deaths
5 [1]

The COVID-19 pandemic in Antigua and Barbuda is part of the ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached Antigua and Barbuda in March 2020. As of 31 December, there are a total of 158 confirmed cases, of which 148 have recovered and five have died.[2]

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[3][4]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[5][6] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[7][5]

Timeline

March to June 2020

On 13 March 2020, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Antigua and Barbuda's first confirmed COVID-19 case.[8]

Browne said the patient started presenting symptoms on March 11. The woman visited a private hospital where medical officials took samples that were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) lab in Trinidad for testing. Browne assured that “no stone will be left unturned” as he noted health officials are tracking down anyone she may have met. He revealed Antigua's sole quarantine facility will be up and running next week and testing equipment will arrive shortly after. The Prime Minister has called on citizens to take precautionary measures such as hand washing, avoiding close physical contact and avoiding large groups. “We must never panic but must work collectively with confidence and faith. I remain confident that with our collective efforts and with the help of God, we shall surmount the challenges of COVID-19 and this too shall pass." Browne also advised citizens that another suspected case of COVID-19 returned negative.[9]

On 27 March 2020, the government declared a state of emergency for a period of two weeks, from 28 March to 11 April. The order established an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly curfew. The government also defined essential services and required non-essential services and business to close.[10][11]

On 31 March 2020, the government ordered a 24-hour curfew from 2 April to 9 April. The curfew would prohibit movement during the day by non-essential workers except for food and emergency supplies.[12]

On 9 April 2020, the government extended the 24-hour curfew to 16 April. The curfew was extended again to 22 April and later to 14 May.[13][14][15] There were three deaths in April.

On 15 May 2020, Parliament extended the state of emergency until 31 July.[16]

On 1 June 2020, Antigua and Barbuda reopened its borders to international travelers in a phased approach. Phase 1 allows arriving passengers to present a valid medical certificate stating a negative COVID-19 test result within the previous 48 hours. Visitors without a negative COVID-19 certificate are allowed entry on the condition that they quarantine at an approved hotel. Returning nationals without a certificate must submit to mandatory quarantine. The first flight carrying international visitors arrived on 4 June.[17][18]

July to December 2020

The fourth death occurred in November and the fifth in December.

January to June 2021

On 7 January 2021, Barbuda council reported first positive case in Barbuda island.[19][20]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Coronavirus cases in the Caribbean to date: 133,584". Loop News. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Coronavirus cases in the Caribbean to date: 164,470". www.loopjamaica.com. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  7. ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ De Shong, D (13 March 2020). "Antigua and Barbuda records first case of coronavirus". loop. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda records first case of the novel coronavirus". loopnewsbarbados.com.
  10. ^ "MEDIA STATEMENT" (PDF) (Press release). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  11. ^ "State of Emergency Curfew Imposed from March 28 to April 11 Guidelines" (PDF). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Government of Antigua and Barbuda State of Emergency 24 Hour Curfew imposed from April 2 to April 9, 2020 Official Guidelines" (PDF). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Government of Antigua and Barbuda State of Emergency 24 Hour Curfew imposed from 6 a.m. April 9 to 6 a.m. April 16, 2020 Official Guidelines" (PDF). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Government of Antigua and Barbuda State of Emergency 24 Hour Curfew continues from 12:01 a.m. April 16 to 12 Midnight April 22, 202 0Official Guidelines" (PDF). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Government of Antigua and Barbuda State of Emergency Curfew continues from 12:01 a.m. April 23 to 12 Midnight May14, 2020 Official Guidelines" (PDF). Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Antigua Parliament extends state of emergency for another 60 days". News784. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  17. ^ "ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA TRAVEL ADVISORY" (PDF). Ministry of Public Utilities, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Energy. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  18. ^ Hampson, Laura (4 June 2020). "Antigua and Barbuda is welcoming all international visitors from today". Evening Standard. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Barbuda Council Press Release". Facebook. Barbuda Council. 7 January 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  20. ^ "First Positive Covid-19 Case Recorded in Barbuda". The Daily Observer. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
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