The Caribbean island of Grenada was on par to achieve zero active cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) this week but now has to move aggressively to contain a spike as a cluster of infections originating at its flagship Sandals resort nearly doubled the national tally.

According to the Grenadan Ministry of Health, the Sandals coronavirus cluster includes guests and staff, as well as their contacts.

“The discovery was made following proactive testing of employees and guests on Friday and Saturday, as part of the ministry’s continuous testing of frontline staff in sectors directly related to tourism, travel and health.,” the ministry explained in a Sunday (December 13) statement.

The ministry confirmed 26 new cases on Sunday—more than four times higher than the six daily infections peak in August—forcing Grenada back into a partial lockdown as the island reduced public gatherings to 10.

Before the weekend spike, the country had recorded a total of 45 confirmed cases since March.

Grenada is currently managing 44 active COVID-19 cases, and while the ‘spice island’ has recorded no deaths associated with the pandemic, it boasts 41 recoveries.

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, in an address to the nation, said that all social gatherings, including weddings and funerals, are limited to 10 participants for the next seven days.

Effective Monday, and lasting for an initial period of a week, community events and gatherings are postponed; business operations, including public transportation, must stop at 10:00 pm; and restaurants are limited to takeout service only.

“The sudden spike in COVID cases originated at Sandals Grenada and demonstrates the grave dangers we face,” Mitchell told the nation.

“The grim reality is that 13 people from one household have tested positive, based on a staff member’s exposure to COVID. It cannot be determined at this time that this was due to a breakdown in the application of the resort’s protocols, but we must enforce the law,” he added.

Acting chief medical officer Shawn Charles warned that health officials expect the Grenadian case count to grow as they continue testing close contacts of the coronavirus-positive guests and employees.

“The Ministry of Health is revisiting the protocols for all hotels and resorts. The magnitude of this new cluster of cases means it is not business as usual during this holiday season,” Prime Minister Mitchell noted.

Like many of its Caribbean neighbours, Grenada reopened its international borders in mid-July. While the border status remains open, visitors to the island are required to obtain a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel and complete a Pure Safe Travel Certificate prior to arrival, among other requirements.

Health Minister Nickolas Steele, in an interview on Thursday, apologised to the people of Grenada and assured the hospitality corridor protocols would be reviewed amid the Sandals cluster.

“There will come a time for further apologies, but the focus has to be remedying the situation right now. There were certain procedures put in place, not just here in Grenada, to guarantee as best as possible the safety of [hotel] workers. I think it is pointing most definitely now, to changes [needed] there,”

As at Thursday, Minister Steele indicated that health officials are awaiting the results of over 800 tests, and denied claims that Sandals or any other hotel was offered special treatment.

Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), Adam Stewart, said that contrary to local press, its Grenada location continues to operate but has chosen to temporarily halt new visitor arrivals.

“We also did not evacuate any guests, as some media claimed, and we continued to operate the resort safely. Out of an abundance of caution we ourselves, which is a feature of our Platinum Protocols, and with the interests of our staff and our guests in mind, have made the decision to not accept new arrivals at the hotel until this matter settles,” Stewart explained in a Thursday interview with Travel Pulse.

Stewart further noted that Sandals has contacted its customers, and advised effective today, it is set a re-opening date of February 3 for the hotel.

“That has been chosen for two reasons. It’s a holiday season which is unfortunate, and Sandals is absorbing 100 percent of the cost for accommodating our impacted guests at any of our other resorts in the region that they choose,” he added.