Health authorities in Barbados reported on Wednesday that the death toll from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) increased by nine, and laboratory tests have identified another 72 new cases of the viral illness in the island.
According to a news release issued through the Government Information Service, two men, aged 87 and 89, died from the illness earlier on Wednesday, while the Coroner’s Office confirmed another seven people died in the last two weeks within the community. Consequently, the COVID-19 death toll has now reached 555.
At the same time, health authorities indicated that 29 males and 43 females – including eight young people under the age of 18 – tested positive for the viral illness from the 485 tests conducted on Tuesday, September 6, by laboratories across the island.
At the time of reporting, there were 52 people seeking medical treatment in government isolation facilities, while 682 were being monitored under home isolation programme managed by the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
Health authorities also reported that 163 346 people (71.5 per cent of the eligible population) had been administered at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine under the national vaccination programme.
At the same time, 154 458 people (57 per cent of the total population or 67.6 per cent of the eligible population) were now considered fully vaccinated.
The eligible population is anyone 12 years and older.
(BGIS-AR)