Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. (File photo)
MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands has issued special precautions that must be taken to make sure seniors in nursing homes are safe from the spread of COVID-19.
At a COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday, Dr Sands said to protect residents of nursing homes and seniors receiving care in their homes, it is recommended that no in-person visitation is allowed.
All employees must perform hand hygiene frequently; physical distancing of at least six feet should be instituted; and staff and residents should practice respiratory etiquette by covering their nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Frequent cleaning of touched surfaces must be done throughout the day with hospital grade disinfectant or diluted bleach solution.
All healthcare workers and caregivers should practice barrier nursing and wear personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as gloves, masks and gowns when they come into contact with seniors. Custodian staff must also be protected.
Nursing home workers and caregivers in private homes should stay at home if they are ill with respiratory symptoms such as coughing, fever, or shortness of breath.
If a nursing home resident becomes ill with respiratory symptoms they should be promptly masked, and isolated in a private room. The facility administrator should call the Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Unit immediately.
Dr Sands explained that for seniors who are at home, contact with others should be limited. He said food and other items can be left outside for them to collect.
“This virus has claimed the lives of thousands of elderly people around the world,” Dr Sands said.
He added: “That said, young people should not think they are invincible. COVID-19 can kill people of any age group, any gender, any racial group, rich and poor.”
To date, the country has 40 confirmed COVID-19 cases and seven deaths.
Comments
ConchFretter 4 years, 7 months ago
I am glad these recommendations are being made. Quite frankly, they should have been implemented as soon as the first Covid-19 positive case was confirmed in the country.
Besides the nursing homes, special needs homes, Fox Hill and Sandilands also need similar recommendations as they all have vulnerable populations (infections like COVID-19 spread quickly in these type facilities).
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 7 months ago
It's one thing to make nursing home recommendations but it's an entirely different thing to make sure the nursing homes have the personal protective gear available to carry out the recommendations. And as we all know, the Minnis-led government has a well established history of being long on meaningful talk but short on meaningful action. Note how Sands says nothing about what government is doing to ensure the nursing homes have a sufficient supply of the personal protective medical gowns, masks and gloves needed to properly implement the remmendations. Not a good sign.
Obviously the recommendations made here should have been fully implemented more than two months ago based on the news about the great vulnerability of nursing home residents that was coming out of Washington State way back then.
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
Only through best protecting health our seniors can we protect all members society!
The comrade health minister, must not be just recommending but placing will be enforced across the board strict rules on all Senior's residences. Under no circumstances should outside non essential visitors be permitted any group Seniors residence structure - nor should any care worker be allowed work at more than a single work dedicated location - and all care workers MUST undergo testing on an ongoing, defined, regular basis.
As it now stands the death rate colony could rise be 1,400 and even that number WILL suddenly begin to escalate, should the deaths among those residence together Seniors rise. Nod once for yeah, twice for no?
Giordano 4 years, 7 months ago
This is time to do,not to recommend. Only those who are not in directional positions looks good recommending. Pls Mr. Minister of Health stop clientelism and undusting of old-retired people(like former CMO) to perpetuate them in keys positions before using humiliated-professional And youngs/native doctors to give them opportunity in this season of crisis (Pandemic Crisis) to bright with their own light or contribution to the Country where they bourned. The point is to solve problems and not to create problems or make them worst. We need banks of ideas more than banks of money rightnow. This is about saving life and clientelism should stop.
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