-CMO impressed by work done so far

WORK on the special Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) facility at the site of the formerly known Ocean View Hotel is moving apace, and will soon be completed, said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

With the country already recording over 230 cases of the disease to date, the completion of the facility will be timely and will aid in the incubation, treatment and containment of persons, who are infected by COVID-19.

Dr. Persaud, following a tour of the facility, on Monday, said he was pleased with the progress he has seen so far, and anticipates the facility’s completion “very soon.”
The idea to establish a special COVID-19 facility was put to government by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) after a new study found that Guyana could have as many as 20,000 COVID-19 cases in a month.

The Ministry of Public Health, using the PAHO/WHO method, had initially projected 1,400 cases, but a recent study done by PAHO/WHO found that with every case, another 2.5 persons will be affected within five days if there is no partial lockdown, and if persons do not exercise effective social distancing.

“That 2.5, if I infect you, you infect 2.5 others and they infect another 2.5. Within a month we will get over 20,000; it’s a simple model but it makes a lot of sense,” said PAHO/WHO Resident Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, in a previous News Room report.
And should this happen, Dr. Adu-Krow said, five per cent or 1000 of those infected would need intensive care, and Guyana simply does not have the capacity for this.

“With this new facility, we are looking to have centralised care…for now, the services offered will be based on the coronavirus, but as we get over the pandemic and move into other phases, we will probably modify the facility so we can handle any infectious disease that may arise.

“But, right now the plan is to handle three categories of persons: those who are infected and are suffering from signs and symptoms of the disease; those who are infected but remain asymptomatic; and those in quarantine, awaiting results,” said Dr. Persaud.
The facility will be up-to-standard with international regulations and criteria, especially standards regarding the control of infectious diseases.

Even in the construction phase, Dr. Persaud said persons have been working according to prescribed international guidelines and standards, all of which are aimed at protecting persons who utilise the facility.

“From what I’ve seen, progress of the work has been commendable because they completely transformed the facility to where it is now…the quality of work is good so far,” said the CMO.

There were a few modifications along the way, but Dr. Persaud said he was content and is confident that the facility will deliver the intended services efficiently. The facility has an operating room, isolation rooms, laundry rooms, kitchen and other necessary elements.
The CMO hinted that the well-equipped facility is here to stay, even after COVID-19 would have faded. And, it will be modified as time goes by, to cater for other infectious disease.
There will always be a role for the facility because the environment is suited to treat infectious diseases.

“The systems here will ensure that the air in this facility is always clean…so I could see a broader role for it with other infection control programmes,” said Dr. Persaud, adding that it is likely that specialist doctors and nurses will be stationed at the facility, as authorities aim to make it a “centre of excellence.”

Even its geographic location is a plus because compared to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (COVID-19), which is located in the heart of this city, this facility is just on the outskirt of the “hustle and bustle.”

While the work is efficient and the facility is expected to produce the required results, Construction Consultant, Orin Boyce said the contractors faced some challenges with regard to logistics, but the collaborative spirit of the team made the work “easier.”
He said a facility of that magnitude would take at least six months, but they were able to consolidate the work and efforts to make it a reality in just three months.