Woman taken into quarantine from NA market tests negative for COVID-19

The woman who was taken into quarantine from the New Amsterdam market on Monday after it was reported to health authorities in Berbice that she exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 has since tested negative, a senior health official has confirmed.

The official told Stabroek News that the woman will, however, remain in quarantine for two weeks after which she will be administered a second test.

On Monday, Region Six’s Director of Regional Health Services Jevaughn Stephen explained that last Sunday evening someone contacted health authorities via a hotline and informed them that a person showing symptoms might be in Berbice and provided a picture. “We received information that a person may have possible COVID-19 symptoms, so we followed protocol and we sent a team out to ensure they found that person,” he had said.

According to Stephen, the person, when approached by the team at the New Amsterdam Market on Monday, cooperated.

Eyewitnesses at the market had stated that the woman, who was wearing a white long sleeve shirt and face mask, was approached by four male medical professionals in the vegetable section of the market.

One stall holder had also indicated that at first the woman argued with the men but eventually decided to enter the ambulance after the medial professionals spoke with her multiple times.

Stall holders were then asked to close for the day as the market was going to be immediately sanitised.

Meanwhile, the market has since reopened to the public.

Mayor of New Amsterdam Winifred Haywood told media operatives that they are working to set up a possible screening point at the entrance of the market so that temperatures can be checked before persons are allowed to enter the market.

Additionally, Winifred said, they will also establish one main entrance to the market with the screening point.