SLBMC Reaffirms Safety as COVID-19 Cases Continue to Emerge

The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) says it continues to safely manage COVID-19 cases, even as the virus remains present in Antigua and Barbuda.

Public Relations Officer Salma Crump confirmed to Antigua.news that from time to time both patients and staff test positive, something she described as expected given the virus’s ongoing circulation.

However, Crump stressed that strict infection-control protocols remain in place at the hospital to ensure these cases are quickly isolated and managed. “At the end of the day, patient care and safety continue to be our top priority,” she said.

The reminder comes as health officials across the region continue to emphasize that COVID-19 has not disappeared, even though it no longer dominates headlines as it did during the height of the pandemic.

Sporadic spikes in cases have been reported in several Caribbean territories, often linked to new variants or seasonal surges.

At SLBMC, administrators say their approach has been shaped by lessons learned during the pandemic: heightened sanitation practices, regular staff training, and strict monitoring of patients showing flu-like symptoms. These measures, they say, have proven effective in preventing wider outbreaks within the hospital.

Health professionals are also urging the public to remain vigilant—particularly individuals with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of complications.

Officials note that while Antigua and Barbuda has largely reopened and life has returned to normal, the virus continues to circulate quietly.

For that reason, medical staff are encouraging residents to practice common-sense precautions, such as staying home when ill and seeking medical attention if symptoms worsen.

The hospital emphasized that its teams remain prepared to respond to new cases and that patients can continue to seek care without fear of exposure.