Operation Seek and Save has unearthed 18 positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases since its inception.
Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on COVID-19 Senator Dr Jerome Walcott said that as of Sunday, 62 000 households had been reached, with 168 “suspicious households” recorded.
He said 236 rapid antigen tests and 197 PCR tests were conducted. Eighteen positive results were recorded from 218 tests, giving a positivity rate of nine per cent.
Walcott was speaking during a live press conference on the management of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Motley, Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic, Infectious Disease Specialist and head of the Isolation Facilities, Dr Corey Forde and Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr Anton Best also participated in the press conference.
Of the positive cases recorded through Operation Seek and Save, Walcott gave a breakdown by constituency. The following are included:
Christ Church West Central – 4
St Philip North – 2
St George – 2
St Thomas 3
St Michael West 3
St Michael West 3 (different area)
The minister explained that separate teams are working on this campaign.
University of the West Indies students are working on the survey, while in Phase 2 health professionals – doctors, nurses and paramedical workers – evaluate the date collected.
Programme coordinator of Cave Hill’s MSc in Management, Dr Dion Greenidge, is marshalling the data-gathering for Operation Seek and Save.
Walcott said data is filtered according to specific symptoms as figures are also being recorded for dengue. He said for COVID-19, telephone evaluations are then conducted to reduce the number of “suspicious cases”.
Six teams conduct assessments and swabbing for on-the-spot rapid antigen tests and PCR tests which are submitted. If an individual is found to be positive, he or she is removed from the household “almost immediately” and taken to the Blackman Gollop centre. Other members of the household are tested as they would be considered primary contacts.
Walcott said the social determinants of health are taken into consideration: Is there overcrowding in the house?
Is there running water?
How will sanitation be maintained?
How many people over 65 years of age in the household?
Other factors include the incidents of non-communicable disease and comorbidities related to COVID-19, Walcott said.
Operation Seek and Save has been conducted during the February 3 to 17 National Pause where Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley had asked people to pause, reflect, refresh and renew as Government works to bring COVID-19 and dengue under control.
Government had explained that the programme was engaging health care specialists, other professionals and interviewers to identify people who are COVID-positive or at risk of COVID. (KG)
