IN its continued drive to address the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) has appointed a COVID-19 coordinator for the region, said a press release from the Region 10 administration.

Regional Health Officer Dr Pansy Armstrong addressing the committee, disclosed that Dr Michael Marks who served at the Linden Hospital Complex as a government medical officer (GMO) was appointed coordinator of the Region 10 COVID centre.

“Dr Marks will be responsible for managing 23 employees, including doctors, nurses, cooks, maids, and clerical personnel, as the region seeks to battle the virus. The Linden Foundation Secondary School Dorm will serve as a quarantine centre, while the Wismar Hospital will serve as the isolation centre,” the release said.

The Cuba- trained medical doctor said that he is excited and eager to serve the region of his birth. He said that he is determined to put his best foot forward, noting that already along with the RHO and support from the region, they have conceptualised their plan of action, which is geared towards effectively addressing COVID-19.

“I am excited to be serving in this role. It will be a challenge but I am determined to stand up to the challenge and we in Region 10 are in an advantageous position to address COVID-19 as previously we addressed it as a committee, but now we are addressing it as a unit, which means that a lot more will be done,” he said.

The newly appointed COVID coordinator said that the unit now has a focus, so while they are cognisant of the challenges that it poses, they are determined to address these challenges head on. “We are determined to be successful, as while geographically we are aware of several of the challenges that they [sic] are, we are certain that with the increased and enhanced support and assistance from the required stakeholders we can get it all done,” Dr Marks said.

Dr Marks who has two children and expects a third in less than a month, said that the mother of his children, while being a nurse, has expressed her own fears and concerns, but they are both committed and prepared to give it their best shot. He said that she is prepared to support him, and ensures that all precautions and safety measures are taken when he gets home. “I have two children in the home with another almost here, so we do everything necessary to ensure that they remain safe as such, whenever I get home I ensure that all measures are taken to safeguard them and myself,” he said.

He said that while many fear working with COVID-19 patients, he does not have that fear. “My role here is different from that as a GMO at the hospital because at the hospital you may be seeing someone for varying reasons and conditions, but here you know that everyone should and must be treated as a possible [victim] if you want to stay safe and alive.,” he stressed.

He declared that thus far the cases from Region 10 seem to be cluste- related and with contact tracing they have been making progress, thus placing the region at an advantageous position in combating the spread of the disease. He said that the success of the unit and the region rests solely on the willingness and determination of residents to fight the disease collectively.