Scientist Overseeing Bermuda’s COVID-19 Fight Resigns

The scientist in charge of Bermuda’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) will resign at the end of January after accusing the government of ignoring her advice. The island’s active cases have soared beyond 1,100

“I really appreciate the experience and opportunities I have gained while working in this role.” Dr Carika Weldon said, confirming she had informed Cabinet of her decision.

Her resignation comes in the wake of massive delays in the turnaround of test results in the first week of the new year.

Weldon said she had warned against children returning to school, which required 5,400 tests for COVID-19 to be turned around in a matter of days while her lab was short-staffed.

Weldon noted that in April 2020 just after the pandemic reached the island, her team was flooded with more than 3,500 test samples daily.

- Advertisement -

A researcher at the Oxford Genomics Centre in England, Weldon returned to Bermuda as the director of the Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (MDL). Premier Burt welcomed the move as a triumph for a young black Bermudian scientist.

Weldon earlier said cutbacks in staffing as infection rates soared had left the MDL unable to keep up with the latest outbreak.

“It’s a people problem. We have now approval to hire people back that we were told to get rid of. But the administration side has not gone through.”

Bermuda, where the Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire according to Health Minister Kim Wilson, currently has 1,111 active cases of COVID-19 after 255 new infections were confirmed on January 6.

The number of people in hospital has doubled to four.

Health officials said 125 of the new cases came in from overseas. Most of the remaining 130 cases are under investigation.

There have been 56 recoveries since the last COVID-19 update January 4.

Bermuda has recorded a total of 7,191 cases with 110 people dying from the virus.

/CMC

More Stories

Guyana Government to assist sugar workers

Guyana in diplomatic talks with US over Cuban medical missions sanctions

The Government of Guyana is engaged in diplomatic discussions with the United States to address concerns over the expansion of US restrictions on Cuba’s...
Nearly six thousand people killed Haiti in 2024

IACHR expresses concern over worsening security crisis in Haiti

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has voiced grave concerns over the escalating security crisis in Haiti, citing a surge in extreme violence...
Owen James

Jamaican media mourns the passing of veteran journalist Owen James

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran journalist Owen James, hailing him as a trailblazer in...
Turks and Caicos

US warns Americans not to travel with firearms or ammo to Turks and Caicos

The U.S. Department of State has issued a forceful warning to American travelers, urging them to leave all firearms and ammunition at home when...
Barbados to host 69th CARPHA

Barbados to host 69th CARPHA Health Research Conference focused on mental health

Barbados will host the 69th Annual Health Research Conference of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) from May 7 to 9, with a...
Stuart Young

Stuart Young to be sworn in as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on March 17

Energy Minister Stuart Young is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on March 17, following Dr. Keith Rowley’s...
Issa Trust Foundation

Issa Trust Foundation expands neonatal training in Jamaica

From February 28 to March 14, 2025, the Issa Trust Foundation spearheaded a critical initiative to enhance neonatal care in Jamaica by providing specialized...
eGov Technology Showcase

Jamaica advances digital transformation at eGov Technology Showcase

The future of Jamaica’s digital transformation took center stage at yesterday’s eGov Jamaica Limited GOJ Digital Government Technology Showcase at the Jamaica Pegasus. The event,...
Jamaica tufton

Jamaica’s health minister: No evidence of forced labor among Cuban medical workers

Jamaica's Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has dismissed concerns that Cuban medical professionals working in Jamaica are victims of forced labor, reaffirming...
imf

IMF highlights St. Lucia’s strong economic performance

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended St. Lucia’s economic recovery, citing strong growth in tourism, construction, and manufacturing. In its 2024 Article IV consultation,...

Latest Articles

Skip to content