The Ministry of Health on Friday held a press conference to provide the public with guidelines ahead of the peak of the carnival season.
Matron at the national hospital, Emaline Matthew addressed the press conference. She said that the pandemic is still occurring and ‘we must continue to take all available precautions to prevent contracting covid19’. We must also take measures to protect the vulnerable among us.
She added that the national hospital has updated its policy on mask wearing. The policy states that face masks should be worn by all health care workers especially while involved in direct patient care. Visitors are expected to wear masks or facial coverings especially while in clinical spaces. All patients seeking care whether in or out patients are advised to wear masks. All ambulance drivers, EMT’s and police officers should wear masks while present there.
“It is important to note that currently not all patients are routinely tested for Covid infection. Visitors are also not tested prior to visiting on the wards. This makes the wearing of masks even more critical to protect patients, staff and visitors especially on entry to the wards, clinic and other clinical areas”, Matthew said.
She continued, “The public is also reminded that covid isolation unit is a space providing clinical care for those patients with a communicable disease. This means that visitation is not allowed at the covid isolation unit. We recognize that during this season much like during independence and Christmas activities, relatives will be coming in from all over the world but our priority is to protect both visitors and patients alike. Therefore family members can drop off supplies for their relatives admitted to the covid unit with the nurses at the unit”.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Doctor, Dr. Laura Esprit, warned that the pandemic didnt leave, instead it is our sense of alertness which left. She said that the World Health Organization’s guidelines regarding Covid-19 are still in place. With this in mind, Esprit offers the following ‘practical guidelines to the public about remaining cautious while revelling or participating in mass gatherings of the season’.
1. If you have flu like symptoms get tested.
2. Testing for covid continues at all health centres across the island at no charge.
3.You do not have to be sick or symptomatic to be tested.
4. If you wish to know your status , staff are all trained to assist you and kits are available throughout the island to do so.
5. The responsible thing is to isolate at home if tested positive.
6. Be creative and use custom made masks that compliment your outfit. Ensure that the mask covers your nose and mouth and that it is used during periods of mass gatherings.
She added that while persons may choose to stay away from the festivities, they must be alert that someone who is participating does not bring home covid to them.
Esprit also advised the use of mask for high risk person especially for their jobs. Persons such as: workers at ports of entry; custom, immigration and police officers, persons in the hotel industry, street vendors and supermarkets attendants, bus drivers and gas attendants, visitors to elderly homes and health facilities, emergency responders and health care workers, staff of salons, barber shops, bars and restaurants and persons with underlying medical conditions.
She continued, “The Ministry is convinced that masks do assist when used as a complement with other social and public health measures.
According to the Covid 19 summary, Dominica has about 1 case per week in the past weeks.
