Members of the public should not take their frustrations out on hard-pressed healthcare staff battling a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Chief Medical Officer said last night.

Ayo Oyinloye said “abuse” had been aimed at workers “across the board” as the island grappled with its latest and worst outbreak of Covid-19.

Dr Oyinloye added: “Myself and my colleagues at the Ministry of Health, in the laboratories and in the hospitals, are working day and night to protect this country.

“We certainly do not deserve the abuse that has been given to us by members of the public.

“This is completely uncalled for and I would like to appeal to you not to do this.”

Dr Oyinloye said: “Everyone is working hard to keep the country safe.

“The least we can do is appreciate the people doing this and not give them abuse.“

Dr Oyinloye added overworked contract tracers were the victims of “regular” outbursts, along with call centre staff, hospital workers and staff at the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory test centre.

He said: “I, like everybody else, have been on the receiving end.

“But it’s not about me. It’s about my colleagues.”