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14.05.2020 Health

Covid-19: 39 Health Personnel In Ho Quarantined

Covid-19: 39 Health Personnel In Ho Quarantined
14.05.2020 LISTEN

Information reaching this portal reveals that about 39 health personnel at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) in the Volta regional capital are in self-quarantine over their exposure to a patient who tested positive for Covid-19.

The 39 who include 10 doctors, 28 nurses and one orderly are reported to have come into contact with the said patient last Sunday, May 10, when the patient was brought to the hospital.

The 50-year-old woman who was brought to the hospital unconscious was thankfully resuscitated by the health personnel.

Considering the information taken from the patient and the heightened surveillance protocol of the facility, the patient's samples were taken for Covid-19 testing at the laboratory of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

A source close to the teaching hospital who made the disclosure to DGN Online noted that the test results from UHAS came in the same day.

The source also added that majority of the health personnel are being quarantined in facilities of the hospital while the few whose homes have the capacity for self-quarantine have been allowed to do so.

The Public Relations Officer of the HTH, Amos Jah Kieh confirmed that it is true that some of their staff are in isolation over exposure to a Covid-19 patient, however noted the number was 30 and not 39.

He did not give details as to job titles of the health personnel, but said “30 of our staff”.

Both doctors and nurses who were present when the patient was brought in unconscious all helped to resuscitate the patient before it was later confirmed.

He noted that the accident and emergency centre was closed immediately the results came in for disinfection on the following day, Monday 11, 2020.

It was re-opened today May 13 for normal duties, he added.

In dealing with the shortfall due to the mandatory 14-day quarantine of their staff, Mr. Kieh said, “Doctors and nurses from other units and departments have been roped in to assist with the smooth running of the unit.”

Mr. Jah Kieh stressed that the “The Ho Teaching Hospital has always maintained strict protocols.” The reason they have successfully run samples for over 60 clients out of which 3 have tested positive with 1 additional person through contact tracing.

“So this is unfortunate but clearly will not be repeated,” he noted.

He said the samples of all the health personnel have been taken and all the results are yet to come in.

---Daily Guide

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