COVID-19 outbreak at Geriatric Hospital

Public health officials are closely monitoring an outbreak of COVID-19 at the St Michael District Hospital in Beckles Road, St Michael, also known as the Geriatric Hospital.

Eight cases, six clients and two staff members, have been recorded at the hospital for the period October 2 to 8.

Five of the clients – two males and three females – were immediately separated from the general patient population and given the appropriate medical care. They are all in stable condition. However, one client had to be transferred to an isolation facility for further medical treatment.

Management and staff at the Geriatric Hospital have a system in place to deal with positive cases. A quarantine facility has been set up for clients who present with COVID-19 symptoms, and the facility has been expanded to accommodate clients in continued care, in a safe setting.

Most of the client population at the hospital, over 90 per cent, is fully-vaccinated. Additionally, since the first case was recorded in March 2020, visitors have not been allowed, and all persons who work or conduct business on the hospital’s compound are screened before entering.

Furthermore, staff are frequently sensitised on best practices and they are issued with the requisite personal protective equipment to execute their duties. Routine testing is also carried out at the institution.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to manage the situation at the Geriatric Hospital and ensure that measures are implemented to prevent further spread of COVID-19 within the facility.