In the last week, at least ten people were diagnosed as positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Some had both respiratory and non-respiratory complaints and Dr Chaynie Williams, consultant in the Accident and Emergency Department of the QEH, has advised people to seek medical advice when they are feeling ill.
Williams was speaking during the COVID update press conference today.
Attorney General Dale Marshall and Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith also addressed the press conference, which was hosted by head of the COVID Communications Unit, Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson.
Williams said those who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Emergency Department were transferred to one of the isolation facilities on confirmation of the COVID diagnosis and stabilisation of their presenting complaint.
People who suspect they may be COVID-19 positive, or are experiencing any of the symptoms which have been outlined repeatedly, have been advised to call the COVID hotline at 536-4500 or the Help Desk of the QEH at 536-4800 for assistance.
Williams said the health care professionals would then direct people where to go depending on the symptoms outlined.
The consultant said people go to the Emergency Department with all levels of severity as it relates to COVID-19.
“Asymptomatic persons with non-COVID-related complaints or a severe illness as it relates to COVID,” Williams said.
“We are treating all persons as potential carriers of COVID.”
Williams explained that in this regard, all QEH staff wear personal protective equipment each day, “all of the time, every time”, when dealing with patients and when interacting with each other.
She also said polyclinics are open to assess people with mild symptoms. People with mild symptoms are discouraged from going to the Emergency Department, which is for people with moderate to severe symptoms.
Moderate to severe complaints include people so short of breath they have difficulty completing sentences, people experiencing chest pain and those who have difficulty breathing. (KG)
