Several buildings designated for the isolation and quarantine of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients have been completed and another is under construction as villagers have moved to prepare the Moruca sub-district to treat cases.
Work has been done at Kwebanna and Waramuri and at the Bimichi Airstrip.
According to Dr Derron Moonsammy, head doctor stationed at the Kumaka District Hospital, some assistance was received from the region with some of the materials, but most of the work was done through self-help.
Construction at the sites began on March 17 and the isolation and quarantine facilities at Kwebanna were completed, while only a quarantine facility was constructed at Waramuri. Both an isolation and quarantine facility are under construction at the Bimichi Airstrip site. A site near the airstrip was chosen for the possibility that a patient may need to be medevaced.
At Kwebanna, each facility caters for twelve persons, while at Waramuri, the building designated for quarantine has two apartments that can house four persons or two small families of three. Once the Bimichi buildings are completed, its quarantine facility is intended to cater for 10 persons, while the isolation facility is expected to accommodate six persons. Also at Bimichi, the construction of a building intended for staff quarters is underway. Villagers volunteered their time and materials. For facilities that do not have beds, gurneys were made out of wood and salt bags, this newspaper was told.
Additionally, each site will have places set up for decontamination, where nurses and/or doctors caring for the patients will be required to shower before and after their respective shifts.
Explaining the difference in the facilities, Moonsammy said patients cared for in the isolation department are those who were tested positive for COVID-19 or are suspected to have it, while the quarantine facilities are for persons who have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
The work on the facilities is expected to be completed this month.
Presently, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases at Moruca and screening is being done at several main entry points of the sub-district, including at the triage area at the Kumaka District Hospital and at the Kumaka Waterfront. Several villages have also taken the initiative to prevent visitors from entering their communities and have constructed gates at entryways.
Though Moruca has a population of approximately 18,000 persons, with 10,000 alone being in Santa Rosa, there are only three doctors in the entire district, including Moonsammy. There is a total of 87 persons on staff, including doctors, nurses, janitors, community health workers (CHOs) and porters. Although it wasn’t disclosed how many CHOs there are, it was noted by Moonsammy that they are situated throughout the various communities in district and riverain areas. Last Wednesday, the CHOs began training. Moonsammy said though they have already been trained, the hospital is giving additional training to help them be better informed about COVID-19, a history of similar viruses, diagnoses and management. Training will take place every two weeks on an indefinite basis.
Asked about the attitude of persons towards social and physical distancing, Moonsammy mentioned that most individuals are staying at home and not venturing outside after the 12-hour curfew begins at 6 pm. However, he could only vouch for Kumaka as he is stationed there and has observed police officers walking through the community once the curfew begins. It was, however, noted that there is no way to know whether persons from other villages are adhering to restrictions. For those who venture out during the day, only around 25% of them can be seen wearing facemasks, Moonsammy added.
