Strict measures enforced to manage COVID-19 at Palms Geriatric Home
DPI, Friday, May 15, 2020
The Palms Geriatric Home located on Brickdam, Georgetown
The Ministry of Social Protection has implemented protocols to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Palms Geriatric Home.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry stated that it is collaborating with the Public Health Ministry to address the current situation at the facility.
Between May 1-14, 2020, five residents and one Patient Care Assistant have tested positive for COVID-19. The Ministry noted its regret that a resident has since succumbed to the virus.
Director of Social Services, Whenthworth Tanner told DPI all visits to the elderly home have been restricted since the 27th of March.
The residents who have tested positive for the virus are being cared for in a separate area of the facility, which is sanitised twice daily. Cleaning of all wards has also been optimised.
Contact has been limited between residents through the increased spacing between beds and restriction of movement as much as possible. All the residents on the affected wards have been tested.
Staff have been equipped with protective equipment to perform their duties. They are screened routinely on entry to the facility and the use of facemasks by staff and residents is mandatory. Hand washing /sanitisation before entering the home is also required.
The statement also disclosed that primary and secondary contacts of the positive cases have been recorded. The primary contacts were placed in home quarantine and samples were taken for testing.
These persons will be followed up by the surveillance team who will assist in contact tracing.
It was also highlighted that the renovation of a ward will be increased so that area can be used as an isolation facility.
The Ministry of Social Protection stated that will continue to take all steps necessary for the protection of residents, care personnel and staff at the Palms Elderly Care Facility.