In light of COVID-19 cases being recorded at the Palms Geriatric Home, the Ministry of Public Health is taking active measures to safeguard residents at other vulnerable homes through screening and testing of both their staff and residents.
Stabroek News contacted several nursing homes to understand what precautions were being taken to ensure the safety of the elderly in wake of the cases at the Palms, which includes one of the country’s ten deaths so far.
Vonita Moore, Administrator of the Uncle Eddie’s Home, told Stabroek News that a COVID-19 team from the Health Ministry visited the home last Saturday.
She said both staff members and residents were screened and that strict instructions were given to contact the COVID-19 hotline should any staff member or resident display symptoms of the virus.
Moore further emphasised that in order to keep residents and staff members safe, the home has implemented more stringent measures, including the sanitising of shoes.
Additionally, residents are still not allowed to leave the home and no one is allowed to visit.
The Dharm Shala Home was also visited by the Ministry of Public Health team.
Managing head of the home, Kella Ramsaroop, told the newspaper that almost all occupants of the home were screened and persons were selected to be tested, based on answers from the screening process, while others were selected because they displayed symptoms that raised concerns.
Ramsaroop, who indicated that the process was a successful one, said, the home is still taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Residents are still encouraged to wash their hands frequently and to practice social distancing.
She added that the gates to the home are kept closed and that offers of cooked food for residents are not being accepted at the moment.
Stabroek News also contacted the Mercy Resident Care facility and Laurelle Daw, Matron, said the home is following all the protocols mandated by the Ministry of Public Health. She noted that the ministry is expected to pay a visit to the home, but was not certain when.
At the Archer’s Home, a staff member, who chose not to disclose her name, said they are doing the same things they were advised to by the ministry. She said they are still taking precautions, and enforcing the staying in policy.
