Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands said the country presently has 750 COVID-19 test kits available.

In his address in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Sands said thousands more are on the way as testing will only take place in New Providence.

“We have enhanced testing capacity with an additional 750 test kits in county and are seeking to order an additional 5,000 to 6,000 more. We have tested suspected cases and close contacts of confirmed cases, collaboration between public health system and private sector for enhanced treatment capacity and the instillation of a modular unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital,” Dr. Sands said.

“The steps we take now and in the days ahead will determine the degree of the spread of the coronavirus in The Bahamas. We all have a role to play.”

Dr. Sands added that health officials have begun contact tracing after the confirmed cases of three individuals who contracted the virus.

Dr. Sands said contact tracing investigations have revealed that household members of the first COVID-19 positive patient traveled to Canada, Trinidad and Dubai – countries with known community transmission.

He said these household contacts have been quarantined and samples taken for testing.

Dr. Sands added that other contacts, including healthcare providers, are being investigated to determine their level of exposure and risk.

The minister of health noted that a total of 30 contacts of the COVID-19 positive patient have been identified.

Dr. Sands reiterated the need for the public to maintain a distance of at least three to six feet, disinfect surfaces regularly, wash hands with soap and water and avoid unnecessary travel.

He encouraged the public to use the Ministry of Health’s recently launched COVID-19 website, www.covid19.gov.bs for more information and updates.