The Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development has established three separate isolation facilities to house positive COVID-19 patients in Tobago.

During a tour of the facility on Friday, the division said the decision was made because it was accountable for the effective management and efficient delivery of high-quality service to the Tobago population, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical Chief of Staff Dr Victor Wheeler said while two of the three isolation facilities were located on the Scarborough General Hospital compound, COVID-19 patients would not have to mingle with other patients in the hospital.

Wheeler said the system of identifying persons with flu-like symptoms would start at a special, tented, triage area, which was set up by the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), located outside the Accident and Emergency Department. However, he noted that the system is relying on individuals to be honest about their symptoms

“Anyone with a cough or cold will go here for that assessment. Temperature check, blood pressure, vital signs done and there’s a screening that we will do for suspected COVID and if you are suspected of COVID and you are well you would be swabbed and advised to self-isolate. If their facilities is such that they can’t self-isolate, we have facilities where we would take them to and we will provide transport for them,” Wheeler said.

An Intensive Care Unit dedicated to COVID-19 positive patients has also been set up. The building, also on the SGH compound, was formally used for MRI examinations but was refurbished as a sterilised facility due to the coronavirus crisis.

Wheeler said the area will be used for patients who need ventilation and intubation. The cubicle used for intubation is negatively pressurised with an air-conditioning system. The space can accommodate up to five ICU patients with ventilators in extenuating circumstances, but due to social distancing, only three beds will be allowed.

Meanwhile, the Tobago Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre, a facility for recovering addicts at the old Scarborough Regional Hospital at Fort King George, has been re-purposed to house COVID-19 positive cases who are well. Wheeler said the ten-bed quarantine facility is properly ventilated for natural airing and has all amenities including entertainment and security on the compound

“The intention is there would be some persons who would be swabbed, well, and who don’t need hospitalisation, but who still need to be monitored, this is where we would have identified. We have staff who would be doing daily temperature checks and vital signs and if they become symptomatic and need admission, they would go to the current treatment centre at the hospital, pending transfer and transport to Trinidad,” he said.