Dr. Ruby Blanc, Medical Director at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH), informed the public that the hospital is committed to playing its role in the fight against Covid-19. She expressed, “The provision of health care services within an environment that is safe for both staff and patients remain a major priority for the administration of the hospital as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Moreover, she indicated that the hospital has taken numerous steps in ensuring that they promote a safe clinical environment. Accordingly, the administration of the DCFH has made mandatory the testing of all patients coming to the Accident and Emergency Department, testing on day five (5) for all admitted patients, testing of any patient experiencing symptoms, staff testing, screening at the gate and the promotion of mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene and sanitization within the clinical areas.
Furthermore, Dr. Blanc explained that there is a no visitation policy which continues to be enforced. However, there are exceptions for end of life situations. According to her, in these situations visitation is allowed to one person at a time for a duration of no more than fifteen (15) minutes. Additionally, the visitor must present a negative antigen test which was conducted less than 48 hours prior.
Also, elective surgeries have recommenced however careful steps continue to be taken to prevent Covid-19 in the clinical spaces. Dr. Blanc voiced that for the most part the public has adhered to the protocols. “However, there are still members of the public who do not respect the protocols that are put into place,” she continued.
From a statistical perspective, she explained that from the period August 6th to September 27th 2021, a total of 113 patients tested Covid positive either on admission or during admission at the DCFH. Of that total, there were 35 cases at the DCFH Isolation facility, 32 cases at the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU), 22 cases at the Stronach Ward, 12 cases at the Imray Ward, 7 cases at the Glover Ward, 2 cases at the Neo Natal Unit and one case each at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dawbiney Ward and the Accident and Emergency Department.
Furthermore, Dr. Blanc expounded on the vaccination status of the 113 positive patients. She conveyed that 89% of the positive patients were unvaccinated, 7% were fully vaccinated and 4% were partially vaccinated. She stated, “We see clearly a correlation between a patient’s positivity and their vaccination status when we look at those figures.” Accordingly, she reiterated that vaccination has a variety of benefits.
To show the extreme importance of vaccination, she further looked at the death toll within the DCFH. According to Dr. Blanc, there has been five (5) Covid-related deaths within the period August 6th to September 27th 2021. Of this total, 80% were unvaccinated, that being four persons, whereas 20% got vaccinated, that being one person.
With the low amount of vaccinated persons, the hospital has launched a vaccination drive. One such way that they have sought to achieve this is with the increased educational activities for the staff on everything surrounding Covid-19 which is termed the “Launch and Learn Series”. In addition, the administration has made a conscious effort to ensure that vaccines are available at the hospital for staff and patients alike. Dr. Blanc stressed, “Vaccination against covid-19 plays a critical role in the fight against Covid-19. The hospital administration would therefore like to strongly urge those who have not been vaccinated to do so at the soonest.”
She concluded by commending all the health care and frontline workers who have worked and continue to work tirelessly in this pandemic. The administration at the DCFH is aware that the fight against Covid-19 is not over. As such, they have committed themselves to ensuring that both patients and staff are exposed to a safe clinical environment.
