Hospital records one Covid death, workers sick

ONE Coronavirus (Covid-19) death was recorded at the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Jiwaka yesterday, taking the death toll there to three.
Hospital chief executive officer Greg Maurer said they were monitoring the situation to prevent further loss of lives.
Also yesterday, another hospital employee was tested positive taking the number of sick workers to five.
Maurer said the hospital had to close its outpatient’s department because of a lack of staff.
It allows only emergency medical and surgery service, deliveries, vaccinations and follow-up HIV and TB patient care.
“As of today (yesterday), we have 21 Covid-19 patients in the hospital. We have five tests pending. The hospital is on alert to see if the number will increase,” Maurer said.
He said oxygen concentrators were at maximum capacity.
“The hospital was provided emergency funding last month to continue operations and we are thankful,” he said.
Maurer said they hoped that there was additional Covid-19 funding available.
“We have previously re-purposed two areas to accommodate Covid-19 patients and have 30 isolation beds available.
“We are also preparing another building for 10 additional beds if needed.”
Maurer said the hospital could not accept Covid-19 patients from other provinces.
Attempts to get updated figures from the provincial health authority chief executive officer Thaddeus Turi were unsuccessful.
But staff of the provincial health authority last week confirmed a number of deaths plus many who had tested positive since Sept 16.