Expert: PPE, limited visits at nursing homes

CONSULTANT in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Dr Marlon Rampaul, says that nursing homes must take specific steps to ensure that the covid19 does not spread among the elderly population who occupy these facilities.

Speaking at the Health Ministry's daily covid19 virtual press conference on Friday, he pointed out that patients are particularly vulnerable to this virus and workers at all nursing homes must use proper PPE (personal protective equipment) when handling patients, particularly sick ones, and to limit the amount of visitors to these homes.

He pointed out that in some countries, there have been infections in nursing homes which eventually contributed to that country's covid19 overall death toll. “All our measures to contain the virus could be for naught if there is a spread within homes,” Rampaul said.