GPHC implements stricter measures as cases of COVID-19 increase

With the situation seeming to change by the day, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has announced that it is taking steps to protect its staff and patients from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a statement released on Sunday, the hospital said that effective of March 16, all individuals entering the hospital will need to use the Emergency Department entrance.
“The hospital can only be accessed from the main gate at the East, Middle and New Market street entrances. All staff is required to present their GPHC issued identification card to security, to access the compound… Staff who do not have their IDs should be identified by another member of staff”, the statement stated.
The hospital also announced that patients visiting the hospital will be thoroughly screened to limit the potential spread of infection.
“All patients entering the hospital will be screened at all entrances before entering the hospital compound. All patients presenting with respiratory symptoms will be given a face mask, and will be directed to the East Street entrance where they will be triaged…” the statement said.
In the meantime, GPHC is encouraging persons to keep abreast of information that is being disseminated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), the Georgetown Public Hospital, and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
As of today, Guyana has recorded four news cases of COVID-19. The patients who have been tested positive most recently have been identified as the husband of the 52-year-old woman who died from the virus earlier last week and one of their children, according to reports, and another occupant of the house.
Tests were conducted on all of the occupants of the house as a precautionary measure.