‘Medical staff vigilant but uneasy in COVID-19 crisis’
While medical staff at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town remain vigilant, Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter said there is some unease among the staff due to the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
With three confirmed cases locally, Dr Potter said: “I am sure that there are people (staff) when dangers are around, becomes fearful. So I expect there to be some disquiet. However, I can assure you that right now we have adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our staff and we are to receive additional amounts shortly.”
The Chief Medical Officer, who was responding to questions from BVI News about the general morale of local healthcare professions at the time, said these PPE’s are of top quality and that BVI would have used them if they did not meet the specifications.
Protective COVID-19 training
He said the staff has also been equipped with specific knowledge to protect themselves against contracting the highly contagious virus.
“For the past few weeks, we have been holding training for our staff; showing them how to put them [the PPE] on and take them off properly. All in all, we are doing the best that we can,” Dr Potter told our news centre.
He added: “The territory has been blessed that the three cases [of COVID-19] have mild symptoms and are recovering well. To date, we have no evidence of community transmission, and the staff continues to be vigilant, and they are already working above and beyond for what we hope won’t happen.”
COVID-19 hospital floor
Management at the hospital has allocated an entire floor for persons suffering from serious symptoms of the virus. There is also a designated hotline.
Just this week, Health Minister Carvin Malone announced that there were no new cases of the virus in the territory. He said 17 cases that were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad returned negative for the virus.
Online research indicates that there are more than 1.4 million cases of COVID-19 globally and more than 82,000 related deaths.
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The medical professionals are on the frontline in the fight against the Coronavirus war. Consequently, they must have the resources to effectively fight the war, ie, personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, face shields), critical equipment (ventilators, respirators) and other equipment, personnel (doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, lab technicians, ambulance drivers…..etc) and adequate medical supplies.
Moreover, the staff at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital should be receiving hazardous duty pay, since they are fighting a war. Faced with great personal risks to themselves, they faithfully report every day to care for their patients. Further, the hospital must build the surge capacity and capability in anticipation of a major outbreak. The VI currently has 3 confirmed cases but the virus seemed to be a rolling wave across the globe. Each resident must do his or part to avoid getting infected. There are no strong treatment protocols, cure and vaccine and the current best practice is social/physical distancing.
@Diaspora, “ Moreover, the staff at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital should be receiving hazardous duty pay, since they are fighting a war.“ Is hazardous duty pay stop medical folks from contracting the virus? The medical profession is a labour love like teaching, nursing home care……..etc. Let’s stop trying to imitate America, for her record on this issue is nothing crow about; it leads the world in confirmed cases and counting.
Were the three cases of coronavirus hospitalized or did they recover at home?
All had mild symptoms and were not hospitalised.
The poor woman who died went to the hospital but was sent home and told she should have phoned. She didn’t seek medical care again until she was dying. There should be an investigation but there won’t be because she wasn’t from here.
Hmm that same Dr.Potter is the same one who signed off also approve West End residents should wear face mask.the educated folks y’all put in these positions are a shame.
It’s all a world stage show and only the leaders and those in the government body getting their script to perform the act.when this covid 19 sham is over there still will be cancer causing fumes and smoke coming from pockwood pond
Damn shame