A child of a Republic Bank employee has tested positive for COVID-19 prompting the closure of its West Mall Branch. At least eleven employees will now be swabbed after coming into close contact with the child and her mother, according to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
Minister Deyalsingh made the announcement during an impromptu Ministry of Health press briefing on Thursday morning. He explained that CCTV footage was reviewed to determine the number of people who came into contact with them.
Minister Deyalsingh said all infection control measures were underway at Republic Bank, including sanitization of the workspace.
“This is not cause for panic, but it is cause for concern,” Deyalsingh said.
He said this case should shock us into a “state of reality.”
“Now that we have a minor who has tested positive, it becomes more important that all the advice we’ve been giving about children is followed,” he added.
He said he hopes this underscores the importance of protecting minors.
At Thursday’s briefing, the minister announced that two cases were pending epidemiological investigation. Those are cases #139 and #141.
Republic Bank issued a statement announcing the closure of the West Mall branch, but it did not provide a reason for the closure.