-in light of reported illness of two students
A medical team will be dispatched to the Waramadong Secondary School dormitory, Region 7, to conduct medical examinations in light of two reported ‘pox like’ conditions, with viral infection, that were reported over the weekend. Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Narine Singh, told the Government Information Agency that an incident was brought to the attention of the Community Health Worker at Waramadong, and after examination, the student was deferred to Georgetown as the patient exhibited chicken-pox like symptoms, mixed with a viral infection.
“One student came down with a skin rash that was picked up by the visiting doctor and was sent to Georgetown…there were reports of a second student who had a similar condition, but was sent home to Chinoweng…follow-up reports to the health office in Region 7 indicated that there are some students with flu-like illnesses and some skin itching,” Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh said that the ministry has been following the child that was sent down to Georgetown. “Most likely it was a viral infection with a secondary bacterial infection…that child is in the medical ward and is doing well, and is expected to be discharged shortly…the ministry is also taking additional steps to send a medical team to the Waramadong area to examine students in the Waramadong dormitory, so a team will be leaving tomorrow.”
He also said that this is a precautionary measure, providing additional support to ensure there are no other such cases and treatment will be provided to other students for their existing conditions.
Hinterland Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Communities, Michael Gouveia, said that the medex was asked to visit  Waramadong on Sunday and further arrangements are being made to have additional support staff in the area to support the medical personnel that are already there.
“Additionally, the school would have sent the other affected student to his Chinoweng home…contact was made to the community health worker in that location to investigate the issue, with the objective of preventing a possible outbreak,” Gouveia said. (GINA)