The Point Fortin Area Hospital was closed for sanitization yesterday after news spread that a construction worker had become infected with COVID-19.
Between 10:30 am to 11 am, receptionists, nurses, construction workers and clerical staff were seen hurriedly driving out of the compound. The hospital had been opened shortly before elections but only outpatient clinics and pharmaceutical services were operational at the time. The hospital is still frequented by officials of UDECOTT and main contractor, Austrian firm Vamed.
A source said it was one of Vamed workers began exhibiting symptoms of the virus and when COVID-19 protocols kicked in, the workers were advised to leave at the end of their shift.
In an interview with Guardian Media, communications manager at Southwest Regional Health Authority Kevon Gervais confirmed that a worker had shown signs of COVID-19 but said there was no confirmation that he had tested positive.
He said COVID-19 protocols kicked in and the worker was referred to emergency care.
He explained that the worker was not employed with SWRHA.
“There was very little contact from our employees but as a matter of extreme precaution at the end of the clinic everyone was sent home and the entire area was sanitized,” Gervais said.
He noted that the site office was on the extreme left of the hospital building and sometimes people from the site office would be walking through the emergency entrance of the hospital and this is why out of extreme precaution we sanitized everywhere,” Gervais said.
He explained that because of COVID, all clinics are not held every day.
“We introduced a block appointment system as part of the COVID-19 social distancing protocols and this was why we did not have many people in the clinics all at the same time,” he explained.
The hospital is expected to be reopened today.
—Radhica De Silva