COVID-19 deaths to be increased by eight, accounting for persons who died outside of the hospital, says Health Ministry

Health officials will be readjusting the COVID-19-related death numbers to include those who died at home from the dreaded virus. 

The Ministry of Health, in a press release issued Sunday, says eight deaths that occurred in the community will be added to a subsequent dashboard.

It was noted that standard protocols and guidelines are utilized by the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre once a patient has been warded at the hospital.

The Ministry says that once a patient who tests positive for COVID-19 succumbs to complications related to the virus, the information is shared for inclusion in the dashboard, along with an official announcement by the hospital. 

It says that cases related to patients who have been discharged, and persons who did not seek medical attention and later died, are extensively investigated and reported on.

“In the first instance, a postmortem examination is conducted to determine the cause of death and a death certificate is issued, thereafter,” the release says.  If it is determined that the death is COVID-19 related, it is added to the dashboard.