NA Market closed amid chaos over suspected COVID-19 case

Medical personal assisted by Police Officers on Monday removed a woman from the New Amsterdam Market, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), sending vendors and customers scurrying.

The woman, who is only a suspected COVID-19 case, was taken to a quarantine facility.
While it is unclear if she is from the region, vendors were seen closing their stalls and customers hurrying to get out of the market as the news spread. The municipality then closed the Market and asked all vendors to exit.
The woman is said to have walked through the vegetable section of the market. According to vendors, the woman walked through the produce section and did not make any purchase or stop at any stall. It was there that she was apprehended.
Shortly after the commotion ensued, personnel of the Public Health Department arrived and fumigated the vending facility.
Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephens said the Rapid Response Team was called after the Department received information stating that a person who may have COVID-19 symptoms was seen in New Amsterdam and was seen entering the Market.
According to Stephens, they received the call via the COVID-19 hotline on Sunday stating that the person might be in Berbice. On Monday, a photograph of the person was forwarded to the Health Department and further information suggested that the individual was seen at the New Amsterdam Market.
After acting on the information, they visited the market where the woman was found and removed.
“The patient at the time provided no resistance to our team and is cooperating with what needs to be done at the moment,” Stephens said.
He implored the public to maintain safety precautions and to pay attention to the gazetted orders and try as best as possible to operate within the confines of the now provided laws so that the Region could remain safe. While commending the person who made the call, Stephens is also encouraging others to do the same if the need arose.
However, authorities are still to determine if the individual was infected with COVID-19.
“At the moment, we do not know if this person is positive or not,” the Director added.