Geriatric Hospital gets all-clear

THE Ministry of Health has given the all-clear from today for members of the public to visit their loved ones at the Geriatric Hospital on Beckles Road, St Michael.According to Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand, “no new cases related to the outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been reported in the last week, and the situation has returned to normal”.Visits to the Geriatric Hospital were suspended last month following an increase in cases of RSV. There were nearly 100 cases of the virus since the outbreak six weeks ago.Respiratory syncytial virus is the predominant cause of respiratory illnesses in young children and the elderly and is not related to the H1N1 virus. The Ministry of Health has expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation and understanding during the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the day care service provided by the Geriatric Hospital from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. will reopen tomorrow to those persons who are currently enrolled. (GIS/MK)