The Caribbean Airlines (CAL) cabin crew that was working on the flight which the Guyanese woman who has since died of suspected coronavirus has been quarantined. Additionally, the local medical staff who had direct contact with the 52-year-old woman have all been quarantined also.
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
The woman of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday.
The now-dead woman, who is the country’s first suspected COVID -19 case, had recently returned to Guyana from New York and was in transit for several hours in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Chief Executive Officer at the GPHC, retired Brigadier George Lewis, told Guyana Times on Thursday that medical personnel who were on duty at the hospital between Tuesday and Wednesday and who had attended to and/or treated the woman have all been placed under observation.
However, he could not say how many staff are being monitored.
Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, the Balwant Singh Hospital disclosed that internal checks revealed that the now-dead 52-year-old coronavirus victim had briefly stopped at that hospital before heading to GPHC on Tuesday.
According to a press release from the private hospital, the doctor on duty, after asking background questions and observing the woman’s symptoms advised that she be taken to the GPHC since it does not have testing kits for COVID-19.
“…and, therefore, it was not possible to confirm the diagnosis. In response, the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital has identified all persons who may have been in contact with the patient during the brief stop and ensured that they are in quarantine and not on duty at the hospital. The persons in quarantine include the doctor who saw the patient, the nurses, and the attendants,” the hospital statement said.
Flight crew
Additionally, the Caribbean Airlines in a media statement on Thursday announced that the now-dead Guyanese woman had travelled on its flight, BW 521, from New York and was in transit in Trinidad before boarding flight BW 526 destined for Guyana.
“In accordance with established protocols, the Public Health Authorities have advised that as a precaution, the thirteen crew members associated with the flights be placed on self-quarantine for a period of fourteen days. This was done, and the employees will be assessed and monitored by the Public Health Authorities in keeping with the directives from the Ministry of Health. The Public Health Authorities are also contacting all persons who may possibly have been affected,” the airlines said.
If you or anyone you know are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, please call the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to your home.
