Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections continue to rise exponentially in Grenada as the country’s health officials struggle to contain the outbreak, fuelled by the Delta variant.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the situation is made even worse as Grenada’s vaccine uptake moves at a glacial pace—the fifth lowest in CARICOM.

The island confirmed 140 new COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the national caseload to 1,613. Of that number, 1,302 cases are listed as active infections.

Grenada hit a record 281 cases in a single day last Friday, and is averaging 126.5 daily infections since August 31.

The Ministry of Health, in a statement on Tuesday, reminded persons that while the vaccine will not prevent persons from contracting or spreading the virus, it reduces the severity of any symptoms and lessens the likelihood of hospitalisation and even death.

COVID-19 cases have been recorded in all parishes of Grenada and on the sister island of Carriacou, where 14 cases have been recorded so far.

Grenada also experienced its single-biggest jump in lives lost to the pandemic, with seven coronavirus-related deaths on Monday.

A paltry 298 recoveries have been recorded, according to health ministry data, while the death toll stands at 13.

There are 46 patients being treated at hospital, however, the ministry did not provide a breakdown of their respective statuses.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Health’s vaccination programme continues with the administering of AstraZeneca and Pfizer jabs; the only two vaccines which are available locally.

To date, 27,046 persons have received their first dose and 19,483 persons have received both doses and are considered fully vaccinated.

The statistics further show that 4,155 persons have received the first dose of Pfizer and 56 persons, the second dose.

For AstraZeneca, 22,891 persons have received their first dose and 19,427 got their second dose.

Vaccine administration by parish shows 72.9 per cent of the total doses were administered in St George, 8.4 per cent in St Andrew, 3.8 per cent in St David, 5.2 per cent in St Patrick, 4.6 per cent in St John and St Mark.

Additionally, health ministry data indicate that 5.1 per cent of Grenada’s total doses have been distributed in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

“Comparatively, Grenada has one of the lowest rates of vaccination among CARICOM member states. Statistics published by Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in late August, show St. Kitts and Nevis at the top with 39 per cent, Antigua and Barbuda with 34 per cent, Barbados 32 per cent, and Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica with 28 per cent,” the Grenada Information Service (GIS), disclosed.

Only four CARICOM countries boast vaccination rates lower than Grenada – the Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and Haiti.