The Guyana Government in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is currently preparing counter-measures to prevent any outbreak of the coronavirus that has killed dozens in China and created international concerns about its spread.
This announcement was made on Friday by Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr Karen Gordon.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in a release yesterday said that Dr Gordon has assured that the country’s Port Health officials have been alerted and sensitised on how to spot “signs and symptoms” of the malady. She added that so far, a screening tool – a questionnaire used to gather detailed information on the onset and natural course of illnesses of persons suspected of having coronavirus – has been developed.
The DCMO disclosed earlier that training programmes targeting key staff including Port Health Officers, Immigration Officers and Customs Officers will be conducted by the MoPH in collaboration with PAHO/WHO. In addition, the Infection Control and Prevention Committee of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is ensuring that the tertiary institution is in a state of readiness to care for any infected person. However Dr Gordon-Boyle counselled that as a precaution, “any person experiencing fever or flu-like symptoms should visit the GPHC or the nearest Regional Hospital.” Other symptoms of the ailment include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat fever and a general sense of being unwell. Patients can develop pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and in severe cases, even death. While the incubation period for affected persons is still not known, it is advised that patients be isolated from the healthy population for some 10 to 14 days. In the event that a person shows up with the corona virus, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) are being asked to support with the testing of samples, Dr Gordon-Boyle was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile CARPHA in a statement said it “does not recommend at this time to conduct entrance screening (temperature screening) at ports of entry. Passengers would already have been screened when exiting the Wuhan area and upon arrival in the US.”
“Member States are recommended to capture information on travel history using the Passenger Arrival Card or surveys, for all new arrivals. Arrivals that have recently travelled to China, especially to the Wuhan area, should be questioned for symptoms and advised to be vigilant for onset of those symptoms and to seek immediate medical attention at a public health facility. Passengers should be advised to seek medical care as soon as symptoms arise,” CARPHA counselled.
