Published Jul 19, 2020 at 12:01 am
(Updated Jul 19, 2020 at 5:02 pm)
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Tamara Richardson (File photograph)
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Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)
A pharmacy owner claimed her company had been wrongly maligned after a staff member received a seemingly false positive result from a Covid-19 test.
Tamara Richardson also questioned how the Peoples Pharmacy employee was required to take six tests to confirm they were free of the virus.
The Hamilton store was forced to dismiss claims on social media yesterday that the staff member had breached health regulations by returning to work too early.
The worker had gone back to work after receiving two negative test results, but then received a positive result from their third test, prompted them and colleagues to go into quarantine.
It emerged this afternoon that the individual had now taken a total of five tests, and been found to be negative. They are now awaiting the result of a sixth test.
Tamara Richardson, vice-president of the Peoples Group of Companies, said today: Peoples Pharmacy and our employee received confirmation today, from a fifth test administered by the Government testing lab, that the employee was indeed negative for Covid-19.
This negative test result is now being tested a sixth time at their request, and we will honour that process before allowing any of the employees back to work who are currently under mandated quarantine as a result of this unfortunate set of events.
This entire process brings to light the concerns we as a community should have for privacy around health results, responsibility and duty of care for ourselves during this pandemic, and the absolute danger that can result form rumours and fear being the paradigm in which we operate.
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said last week that a returning resident had broken regulations by visiting their place of work before receiving their positive test result, sparking a contract tracing exercise from the Government.
A Ministry of Health spokeswoman said last night: There is speculation that the person who broke quarantine on Wednesday, that was mentioned at Thursdays press conference, was an employee of Peoples Pharmacy.
That is not true and we would ask persons to refrain from damaging speculation.
Ms Richardson said: As a company, we will always go one step above excellence when it comes to the health and safety of our Peoples family.
Today, that one step above excellence means getting clarity around how one Bermudian can require a total of six tests, just to confirm they are Covid free.
She said Peoples would review its operating processes to understand how we can ensure this never occurs again to a member of our team.
She added: It is most unfortunate that, out of the more than 100 positive cases, Peoples Pharmacy is the only company to have ever been identified or linked with a case.
As a community, that should give you pause, and I urge you to act as though every place you enter, and every person you greet, could be positive.
In doing so, you will likely not feel the angst you felt when our company was so wrongly maligned based on false rumours, false accusations and what so far is proving to be false test results.
Peoples said it had conducted business in the safest manner possible throughout the pandemic.
A spokeswoman said: Using the best available methods, the entire store is deep cleaned after any reported contact tracing links positive cases to Peoples Pharmacy.
She added: Despite government mandates which only require a negative arrival test to be removed from quarantine, Peoples will now ensure all returning staff members have a full 14-day period of proven negative results.
The Ministry of Health spokeswoman said that the testing regime for travellers takes them up to 14 days post travel to ensure we catch anyone who may transition to positive.
She added: Travellers are also advised to follow all public health measures physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing of masks in public spaces and businesses.
The ministrys Covid-19 case management team uses contact tracing process to identify and advise close contacts of positive cases.
She said anyone concerned that they may have had an exposure to Covid-19 should monitor their health and be alert to any symptoms.
The spokeswoman said: They may also take advantage of the pop-up testing locations across the island this week. Anyone feeling unwell should telephone their doctor immediately and explain their symptoms.
