(Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 24 July, 2020): InterHealth Canada – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital continues to enforce stringent infection, prevention and control measures to protect employees and patients, especially our most vulnerable patient groups during the COVID-19
pandemic.

Thus far, medical teams have isolated and clinically managed a very small cohort of confirmed active COVID-19 cases. These are mainly inpatients, i.e. persons diagnosed with COVID-19 who require admission and continuous
care.

The facility also recently received the first confirmed active COVID-19 outpatient case. In this context, an outpatient case is deemed a person with COVID-19 who requires frequent visits to the hospital for medical care or
treatment due to a pre-existing or chronic health condition, but is stable and does not require admission.

Prior to the local onset of COVID-19 back in March, the hospital envisioned and prepared for various possible scenarios, which included the safe and secure management of both patient types as part of the national
response. Therefore, various stringent measures were implemented early to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and disease transmission within the hospital environment.

These measures include, but are not limited to:

• The use of standalone treatment areas that are spaced apart in specialized units. This design ensures there is social distancing and patient privacy during prolonged treatment sessions.
• Frequent robust cleaning of treatment areas and related equipment.
  The use of designated and isolated entry and exit pathways, isolation rooms and negative pressure rooms for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to prevent contact with other patients.
• Changes to the scheduling times, the introduction of special shifts and assigned teams to manage the treatment of COVID-19 cases.
• Frequent hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitization among staff.
• Temperature screening of staff and patients prior to entering the hospital and before prolonged treatments.
• Frequent in-hospital testing for other infectious medical conditions among patients who receive treatments in certain specialized units.
• Robust compliance with international guidelines for performing certain procedures and facilities management.

The COVID-19 virus remains a public health threat, and patient safety remains our number one priority. We recognize that a COVID-19 diagnosis can be a frightening discovery for anyone, especially those directly affected, and persons with underlying medical conditions who are at a higher risk of more severe clinical outcomes.
Patient confidentiality and respect for a persons’ right to privacy is crucial and should be adhered to at all times. This is also important to minimize any unnecessary mental anxiety and discrimination.