COVID-19 treatment protocols standardized; Regional Hospitals to treat patients

The Ministry of Health is preparing for a rise in positive COVID-19 cases and has since standardised treatment protocols for patients.

Minister of Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony revealed that a technical and clinical working group has compiled a document which can serve as a national treatment guideline for COVID-19.

The document recommends that doctors are trained and accredited by the Medical Council of Guyana to handle these cases. The protocols outlined in the document will guide these doctors on what should and should not be done and how treatment varies for different COVID-19 patients

The treatment protocol/guideline will speak to care for persons in isolation whether at home or in an institution, those hospitalised with severe symptoms and those with mild symptoms.

Crucially, intensive care will be paramount for those displaying severe symptoms. The Health Minister said as more cases are recorded there will be some that need hospitalization.

In this regard there is an ongoing evaluation of regional hospitals; this will allow for specific section for COVID-19 patients to be treated and also include Intensive Care Unit spaces.

“A percentage of those persons testing positive would need hospitalisation and a percentage of those hospitalised would need ICU care… So, we are working to ensure all our hospitals are ready to provide that care,” Dr Anthony said told the Department of Public Information on Saturday.

The Government of India recently donated 29 ventilators to the Ministry of Health. Dr Anthony noted the first batch of these ventilators will arrive this week and will be placed at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The hospital currently has four working ventilators and the additional machines will boost the treatment capacity in the ICU. (DPI)