BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Barbados health authorities are reporting an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Geriatric Hospital but gave no indication as to the number of people infected or those who have died as a result.

In a statement, the country’s Ministry of Health and Wellness said that visits to the institution located on the outskirts of the capital, Bridgetown “have been restricted on some wards… due to a COVID-19 outbreak”.

It said that this restriction includes eight wards at the Geriatric Hospital, where the authorities there said they “would like to assure the public that they are committed to keeping the situation under control and advise that an updated notice will be disseminated as to the progress of the situation and relaxation of the restriction”.

The ministry went on to extend an apology “for any inconvenience caused” and encouraged the public to continue to practise good hygiene to protect themselves and their loved ones from any possible infection.

Barbados has recorded 569 deaths and 106,000 infections since the first case was recorded in March 2020.

The authorities said 60.5 per cent of the population had received at least one vaccine while 57.2 per cent had been fully vaccinated against the virus.