Effective immediately, public hospitals islandwide will be restricted to conducting emergency case services only, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Effective immediately, public hospitals islandwide will be restricted to conducting emergency case services only, according to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
This comes as the public health facilities register continued increases in confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 infections that require hospitalisations which have caused the facilities to exceed their isolation capacity.
Commenting on the crisis in a statement from the ministry, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jacquiline BisasorMcKenzie said: “Most hospitals are over the capacity of beds designated for COVID-19 management. As such, general hospital beds are being used for COVID-19 care. The rising demand for oxygen also threatens to overwhelm the supply.”
The ministry said hospitals will also suspend elective surgeries and begin discharging patients who can receive home care.
Meanwhile, members of the public are being asked to refrain from visiting emergency departments except in cases warranting serious medical attention.