Region Eight installs COVID-19 screening site

– to curb transmission

Region Eight Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Ravindra Dudhnauth says the installation of a COVID-19 screening site at 83 Miles along with a holistic health programme has helped to curb the spread of the disease.

Speaking with DPI, Dr. Dudhnauth said this site not only aims to foster more testing, but to prevent persons from travelling into the Region to do so at the Mahdia District Hospital.

“This site has intensified our efforts to increase testing as it will allow us to ascertain as many positive cases as we can to provide the necessary care needed, especially for those who are asymptomatic,” Dr. Dudhnauth said.

Currently, symptomatic persons are housed at the Region’s only isolation facility located at the Mahdia District Hospital. Asymptomatic cases are required to quarantine at home in keeping with the COVID-19 measures outlined by the Ministry of Health. Dr. Dudhnauth said those who do not have space at home to quarantine, are cared for at the hospital.

Additionally, the RHO said his team is conducting Covid screening at various mining camps in the Region. This includes checks for malaria, dengue, diabetes and hypertension.

“About four to six weeks ago, we received a call from our hotline indicting that a few persons from a mining camp were exhibiting symptoms of Covid and so we did a follow up on the information. Since this incident, other camps have reached out to us for the same courtesy, which we are happy to provide,” he said.

Dr. Dudhnauth told DPI that while Covid has been the main health focus, other conditions also need treating. As such, the medical team will first attend to camps with over 20 employees, and then the smaller ones. This is a collaborative effort between the Regional Administration and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.