Although Guyana has just two confirmed cases of the monkeypox virus, health officials here are taking no chances and according to Dr Tracey Bovell – doctor in charge at the Infectious Diseases Hospital – the facility has set aside space to cater for some 37 patients.
And should the need arise, the hospital which now caters for other diseases outside of COVID-19 for which it was originally established, has the capacity to cater for another 22 beds. The space would not only cater for confirmed cases but also suspected cases. Addition-ally, other regions have also prepared spaces to accommodate monkeypox patients.
Dr Bovell was at the time speaking at a forum organised by the Ministry of Health under the theme “Reporting on the Mon-keypox Outbreak” held at the Duke Lodge, Kingston.