Grenada’s National COVID-19 Coordinator, Dr. George Mitchell has confirmed that there are no COVID-19 patients currently in isolation at the St. George’s General Hospital following the release of the 50-year-old woman, who became the first documented Coronavirus patient on the island.
Speaking in an interview with THE NEW TODAY newspaper on Saturday, Dr. Mitchell, the former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on the island said that the patient who came to the island from the United Kingdom on March 16 has been “treated” and “discharged.”
He stated that ‘Patient Zero’ whose name was not disclosed “only spent about two (2) days in the hospital,” and is now “back at home (and) is (doing) fine.”
Six members of the household where the woman was staying tested positive for the virus but are said to be displaying mild symptoms but continue to remain in quarantine.
According to Dr. Mitchell, the woman was only hospitalised as a result of becoming “antsy” following the visit with health officials.
“…The woman became a little antsy and was taken in (admitted to the hospital) because it was perceived that her condition had deteriorated, more so, than real deterioration, because in 48 hours she was ready to be discharged,” he said.
“She is back home. I spoke to her yesterday and she is not the person that is exhibiting the more cough-like symptoms, it’s actually her mom,” he added.
The COVID-19 Coordinator told THE NEW TODAY that health officials continue to urge persons with the virus “to isolate themselves (even) while in quarantine from the other people in the house in order to not spread the virus among the other members of the household.”
Dr. Mitchell also disclosed that the Ministry of Health has undertaken the task to track individuals who entered the country within the last eight to 10 days.
He said: “We have identified more than 800 persons…and up until yesterday when we met and we got the report (and) as of about 2:00 p.m., we reached (successfully contacted) 180 persons…so, by now we would have reached many more persons and we intend to get in touch with all of them to find out how they are doing, if they are experiencing any symptoms and to ensure or advise them that they should be under mandatory quarantine because they came back within that period of the last 14 days.”
Dr. Mitchell revealed that they are “following up closely three out of the 180 persons” that have been contacted in connection with the COVID-19 operation.
“And that is of 12:00 p.m. yesterday; so, we would have done much more by today,” he added.