…29-year-old woman of Wismar latest patient

THE Linden Hospital Complex has confirmed its second patient who tested positive for COVID 19. The patient, a 29-year-old woman, is currently warded at Diamond Diagnostic Centre.  The woman hails from the same Wismar community where the first case of the virus resides.

She was swabbed at home and, while awaiting results, was advised by medical personnel to do home isolation. After the test returned positive, she was handed over to the Regional Health Emergency Committee task force and transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, in a LHC ambulance.

Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex, Dr. Joseph London, disclosed that the woman had displayed mild symptoms as she had complained of sore throat, fever and cough. He disclosed that the woman was treated and sent home. The hospital, recognising that she hails from the area that the first case was identified, conducted a test on her on April 8.“After the hospital took the samples off her we advised her that she should go on home-isolation as we await the results of the tests. The results returned showing that she was positive and as such, the results were handed over to the Region and Task Force,” the Linden Hospital MS was quoted as saying in a Regional Democratic Council release.

London noted that the region continues to have an aggressive approach to the disease, stressing that all required protocols and actions are being taken as they seek to protect and safeguard residents within the region. “We are monitoring, we are evaluating, and we are keeping a close eye out as we recognise that we need to remain proactive so as to ensure that all remain safe within Region Ten,” the MS said.

He added that the RHO and his Wismar colleague are continuing to meet frequently, as they strategise and put the required systems in place, while urging the public to remain vigilant. “We are appealing to all to remain at home as it is the safest way to protect one’s self, while we would like all to know that, from a health position, we are continuing to work to ensure that we safeguard the region as best as we can,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of the Linden Hospital  Complex, Toshanna Allicock, related that  LHC continues  to implement  strict measures in terms of keeping the hospital  sanitised so patients  can feel safe visiting. “We have implemented frequent sanitisation methods for all areas, especially the high-risk zones. We have ongoing training sessions for staff on how to properly sanitise, the correct way to wear PPE, disposal methods etc” she said.

Communication also remains a key factor in tackling this infectious disease and has proven to be quite effective at an institutional level. “The most effective tool we have is communication and we’re keeping all channels open both ways to address staff concerns and to properly equip them with information,” she said.

At a regional level, the RHEC continues to take on an aggressive approach in keeping imported cases very low. Screening commenced at the Amelia’s Ward and 58 Mile Police Outposts as well as at the Kwakwani Water Front. The Upper Demerara Hospital was identified as an isolation facility and strides were made in equipping the medical institutions with the necessary supplies and protective gear to tackle COVID-19.

Linden’s first case of Coronavirus was recorded last Monday, after a 49-year-old man who turned up at the LHC with severe respiratory complaints, was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital  for a higher level of care. It was later discovered that the man recently had overseas guests. To date Guyana has recorded 48 cases of Coronavirus.