Sustained trend: Fourth COVID wave winding down but expert cautions public not to become complacent

• For the last three weeks, The Bahamas has seen a persistent downward trend in the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalization. However, the Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme, Dr. Nikkiah Forbes cautioned that while this is the case, the behavior of the public will determine whether the trend continues. Consequently, the course of the virus will be very dependent on what is done individually and collectively, the health system, and support for mitigating COVID. 
• Forbes explained that the trend is not cause for complacency as the behavior of the public could still impact the caseload. She pointed out that the spike in infections in early January correlated with the increased social activities and travel over the holiday season — two weeks following the season. 
• The Bahamas, like several other Caribbean countries in the region, has yet to reach a 50% vaccination rate among its population. As of Saturday, 159,839 people had been fully vaccinated in The Bahamas representing around 49% of those eligible to be vaccinated.

 (Source: Eye Witness News)