Covid-19 centre opens to take in patients

THE Florence Nightingale Covid-19 care centre is now open with about 300 beds to help address the surge of Covid-19 cases in Port Moresby, St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Cannon says.
“The centre will help ease the load of Covid-19 patients admitted at the Rita Flynn Covid-19 care centre and Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH),” he said.
Cannon acknowledged the support of Port Moresby General Hospital, NCD health authority and the National Health Department in setting up the facility.
“We are now ready to take in patients,” he said.
“The plan is to start small so this evening 10 health workers, who test positive with the Covid-19, will be admitted to this centre.
“And when we go on into full operation by having Covid-19 patients from Port Moresby General Hospital will be referred here.”
Canon said this during the launch of the centre at the Taurama Aquatic Centre and Indoor Complex.
He said that the Covid-19 centre would be managed by the St John health division.
Meanwhile, PMGH chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the hospital had been receiving more Covid-19 patients.
“We now have 70 Covid-19 patients and imited beds,” he said.
“Covid-19 patients are putting strain on the staff, equipment and the Nightingale Covid-19 care centre will off-load these patients there.
“We need to continue deliver normal serves for patients suffering from tuberculosis, asthmatic, malaria and other sickness.”