Coronavirus: UBTH Gives Update On Two COVID-19 Patients

Two coronavirus (COVID-19) patients receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) are fast recovering.

This was made known to newsmen on Thursday by Dr Benson Okwara, UBTH Head of Rapid Response Team on COVID-19.

Naija News reports that there were allegations of panic at the hospital over the COVID-19 patients receiving care at the isolation centre.

But Okwara dismissed such reports, saying medical personnel at the hospital had always protected themselves when treating COVID-19 patients.

He said: “One of the patients is almost asymptomatic. Our healthcare workers in the medical emergency unit have always put on their medical face masks and hand gloves while treating them.

“They have also maintained other standard precautions which have been enshrined in UBTH’s care processes.”

Also speaking to newsmen, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the hospital, Prof. Casimir Omuemu said that global best practice was being maintained in handling the COVID-19 patients.

According to him, members of the Rapid Response team have so far activated 12 doctors, 33 paramedics and 30 nurses, who were on ground to receive any case and provide guidance.

“Screening of all patients using infra-red thermometer and relevant history taking to determine the level of risk for COVID-19 infection is being done. Cough officers have been deployed to identify and interview patients coughing and move them to designed places for appropriate care,” he said.

“There is a need to scale down on non-urgent procedures and surgeries while allowing all emergency and urgent procedures accessible to patients.

“Our heath care workers have been urged to use scrubs and long ward coats appropriately on arrival in the hospital.

“This is essential to prevent transmission of the virus to persons outside the hospital. Work clothes including shoes are not allowed to be taken home in view of the changing face of the impact of the pandemic even as new interventions are made available on a daily basis by the hospital management.”