Low hospitalisation: Infectious Diseases Hospital to remain operational

…19 new cases recorded

Despite lowered COVID-19 hospitalisation rates, the Health Ministry will maintain operation of the Infectious Diseases Hospital on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
The facility was created as an annex to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after the pandemic struck, specifically for the management of COVID-19 patients.
With cases declining and hospitalisation rates taking a dive, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony clarified on Tuesday that the numbers can change. Only one person is hospitalised with complications relating to COVID-19.
In the future, as the health situation improves, a decision will be made to transfer other patients to the specialised hospital.
“The Ocean View hospital is regarded as an annex to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Right now, we’re using it for COVID-19 patients and those with different comorbidities. As it is now, the numbers are low. That does not mean that cannot change. Therefore, we want to make sure that we still maintain the services and we’ll observe. Then maybe at some later point, we make a decision whether to shift some of the other patients outside of COVID to that facility,” Dr Anthony notified.
From the time the facility was operationalised, expansions have been made to cater for a higher patient load. This was complimented with additional doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff. There are some 195 beds at the Infectious Diseases Hospital – a majority of which have individualised oxygen supply.
An incoming oxygen plant will also be installed at the hospital. This new addition will occupy 512 square feet and be capable of supplying 800 litres of oxygen per minute. The calculations show that some 50 patients can be attached simultaneously.
From the 63,439 confirmed cases detected to date, 98 remain active in the country. Only one person is currently hospitalised. Tuesday’s dashboard saw 19 new cases being detected in one day, with deaths remaining at 1228.
The numbers show zero patient in the Intensive Care Unit, 96 persons in home isolation, one in institutional isolation and 19 in institutional quarantine.
There are 62,114 recoveries from the 29,205 males and 34,234 females who tested positive. COVID-19 tests have amounted to 592,871 since the virus was first detected here.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
Global figures show that almost 508 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.22 million have died. In the Americas, more than 152.5 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths. (G12)