The Ministry of Public Health has launched a COVID-19 testing and screening site at the Merriman Mall, Bourda.
Dr. Keon Harmon, who is attached to the National Health Emergency Operations Centre (NHEOC), told Stabroek News that quite a few persons turned up yesterday at the location. The site will operate at the Merriman Mall up to tomorrow and between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm.
He explained that while all persons are screened, not everyone is tested as testing is determined by the level of exposure an individual has had. Once screening takes place, he said, if medical staff on site see the need to move on to testing, a test is offered to the person.
Harmon noted that screening entails a series of questions being asked to evaluate the person’s health and possible contact with someone who might have been ill. In addition, temperatures are taken and based on the result given, a test is administered.
He also informed this newspaper that the site is also partaking in the clearance of individuals who were in self or institutional isolation. Those persons are encouraged to come in, get re-tested and once cleared of the virus they are free to return to their normal lives.
When asked about the next step for persons tested positive, Harmon said, the NHEOC takes over and determines what is to be done and at which location the individual will be housed, based on the severity of their case.
He said testing sites are chosen based on reports of cases coming out of an area.
In addition, Harmon is encouraging persons to call the hotlines to get guidance and gain sufficient knowledge about the disease. In Region Four persons can call 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674.
To the question of his experience working on the frontline, he said, “I am completing the work required of me. And it is an interesting time for the world, its population and especially health workers, so we need to understand that while times are tough now, things will get better”.
He encouraged persons to do their part to fight the deadly disease, to take all necessary precautions and stop the discrimination, “especially since not every person that coughs is infected with COVID-19.”
