Close collaboration credited for stabilization of COVID-19 situation at the Palms

— Additional trained personnel brought on

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, June 13, 2020.

The Ministry of Social Protection has credited close collaboration with Ministry of Public Health for the recovery of COIVD-19 patients at the Palms Geriatric Home.

It was disclosed today that three out of ten residents who tested positive for the novel coronavirus were diagnosed as recovered after testing negative on Saturday after undergoing two tests within a 24-hour period at the facility.

Director of Social Services, Ministry of Social Protection, Whentworth Tanner

Among the recovered are a 105-year-old woman, another female and a male.

Director of Social Services, Whentworth Tanner told DPI health protocols were sustained through great teamwork and the addition of more trained personnel.

“We have been working closely with the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), Dr. Bovell at the GPHC and Dr. Boyle, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. They have assisting through their presence and guidance and training for our staff,” he said.

“I must thank the persons who are assigned to that ward. Sister Mingo and her team, they have done really good work with those folks who were tested positive,” Tanner added.

The Social Services Director there is strict screening and documentation of temperatures taken and ensuring staff, in particular, those working with the residents who tested positive have the necessary safety gear.

“We have constructed a decontamination area on the ward to ensure when our staff complete caring for infected residents they do not take anything out of the ward. They go through the decontamination area, change their clothing and used equipment, shower and exit the area with clean clothing to prevent cross-contamination,” Tanner explained.

It was also highlighted that a team comprising personnel the from Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the HEOC visit the Psalms Geriatric Home daily.

Currently, seven residents remain in quarantine. Their family members are regularly updated about their condition.

“Our social worker will periodically call the resident’s family to keep them abreast on their condition. We also have several persons at the psalms who do not have any relatives on record which make us the sole caregiver for those persons,” Tanner noted.

The Director reminded that until the Ministry of Health determines it is safe to lift the restriction on visitation the temporary ban on visits at all their facilities – the Palms Geriatric Home, the Mahaica Hospital, Hugo Chavez Centre, night shelter and the Children’s Homes – remains in place.

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