Latest update November 30th, 2024 12:53 AM
COVID-19 testing site established at Port Mourant Hospital
Persons living in Berbice, particularly on the Corentyne, will now have access to a COVID-19 testing site if they are experiencing symptoms or believe they may have been in contact with someone carrying the virus. The testing site is located at the Port Mourant Hospital and was expected to commence operation yesterday. The facility will operate between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00 hrs daily, this publication was told.
The testing booth
According to Dr. Sonia Lord, the aim is to combat and contain the virus. She, moreover, made an earnest appeal for persons to utilize the testing facility. “If you think you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, tiredness, etc., or have been in contact with anyone with the virus or even travelled to an area where it is rampant, you can come to the testing site,” advised Dr. Lord.
The doctor explained that when persons arrive at the facility screening will be done in two phases. The primary phase will include having the temperature of the individual taken after which questions will be asked by a nurse. If the individual meets the criteria then that person will go through the secondary screening phase. Once at the screening phase, a doctor will ask further questions, check vitals, counsel and determine if swabbing is necessary.
Dr. Lord disclosed too that when persons are tested, those tests will be sent to the National Reference Lab in Georgetown. It is expected that results will return within a 48-72 hours timeframe. Once a test is confirmed as positive contact tracing will be executed to ascertain who the individual was in contact with. The individual will also be placed into quarantine, Dr. Lord said.
It is expected that there will be five nurses and two doctors at the testing site at any one time.
Just recently a suspected COVID-19 case was picked up at the New Amsterdam Market. That individual, a woman, has since been tested and quarantined at a facility in Berbice.
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