Top things to know
- The Bahamas Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring a COVID-19 cluster in Grand Bahama linked to a church retreat held October 8-11.
- 20 of 112 retreat participants tested positive via rapid testing, including 14 Grand Bahama residents and six from New Providence.
- One Grand Bahama resident is hospitalized at Rand Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
- The ministry urged vaccination, hand hygiene, ventilation, mask use and staying home when sick.
- Cumulative COVID-19 deaths in The Bahamas stand at 844 to 849, with recent years showing near-zero new reported deaths.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness says it is closely monitoring a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Grand Bahama identified after a church retreat held from October 8 to 11.
In a statement, the ministry said 20 of the 112 participants tested positive for COVID-19 through rapid testing. Fourteen of the positive cases were confirmed residents of Grand Bahama, while the remaining six were from New Providence.
Of the 14 Grand Bahama residents who tested positive, one person has been admitted to the Rand Memorial Hospital and is listed in stable condition, the ministry said.
The ministry reminded the public to follow prevention protocols, including staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, washing hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, improving indoor ventilation, wearing a well-fitted mask when appropriate, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and taking precautions around older relatives and people at high risk of severe illness.
It listed COVID-19 symptoms as fever or chills; cough, sore throat or congestion; fatigue and body aches; headache; loss of taste or smell; shortness of breath; and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people may have few or no symptoms but can still transmit the virus, the ministry said.
“Persons having difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath; persistent chest pain or pressure; new confusion or inability to stay awake; pale, grey or blue lips; or any other severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should seek emergency medical attention immediately,” the ministry said.
The ministry urged members of the public to be guided only by information released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness or official sources.
According to the statement, a total of 844 to 849 cumulative COVID-19 deaths have been officially reported in The Bahamas since the pandemic began. The vast majority occurred during earlier pandemic surges, peaking around 2021. In recent years, from 2024 to 2026, new reported COVID-19 deaths in The Bahamas have dropped to near zero or very minimal numbers.
The ministry did not identify the church or the location of the retreat, and it did not say whether the cases involved any particular variant of the virus. It also did not provide details on the vaccination status of those who tested positive.