Adequate resources in place for COVID-19 patients – Health Minister

With over 100 patients currently hospitalised with the deadly Coronavirus (Covid- 19), Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, M.P, said there are no shortages of resources to accommodate patients as the public health system has about 390 beds set aside for persons who require hospitalisation.

Speaking during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, the minister stated, “In terms of hospitalisation, the ministry in the public health system, we have approximately 389 beds that have been assigned to COVID-19 patients…and based on our current hospitalization right now, we have 141 patients in hospital.  So, as you can see, with the capacity that we have of 389 beds; we’re certainly able to take care of those patients who are in hospital currently.”

Of the 389 beds assigned to COVID-19 patients, the health minister said 180 are at various regional hospitals, 195 at the Ocean View facility, while 14 have been made available for pregnant women at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Dr. Anthony added that there are enough beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Ocean View Hospital, Liliendaal.

“We also have a capacity at Ocean View in the ICU for about 152 ICU patients and currently our ICU intake is about 18 persons, so we still have some capacity to deal with severely ill patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister continued to encourage persons to get vaccinated, especially the 12 to 17 age group, which he said is relatively low.

As of Tuesday, the ministry recorded 418, 333 or 81.5 percent of the country’s adult population taking the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 35, 194 or 59.5 percent are fully vaccinated.

In terms of the 12 to 17 age group, 31, 861 or 43.7 percent took the first dose and 22, 464 or 30.8 percent are inoculated with both doses.

Also, 28, 727 people have taken their booster doses. Dr. Anthony is reminding the public that booster doses are now given at five months after taking the second jab.