Four additional persons from the Palms Geriatric Home have tested positive for the virus which now brings the total number of infected at the institution to five.
Director of Social Services, Whentworth Tanner, told Stabroek News that in addition to the tenth person who died from COVID-19, four others have tested positive for the deadly virus.
He disclosed that the persons tested positive are all residents of the Home, and are currently being housed in an infirmary located in the compound, a safe distance away from the general population.
Tanner who confirmed that no staff member has tested positive, said the National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) has visited the facility and conducted tests on all those who were in close contact with the Home’s first COVID-19 victim.
He added that the aim is to have the entire staff tested, but priority was given to the ones in primary and secondary contact with the COVID-19 victims.
Tanner informed the newspaper that the institution is being guided by the Ministry of Public Health, and based on its advice, more than 12 persons were placed in quarantine, as they are being monitored.
He assured that the staff is fully equipped with protective equipment to work with residents.
Some staff had complained earlier that they didn’t have sufficient protective gear.
