WHO/PAHO for Suriname, June 9, 2020 – The number of COVID-19 cases in Suriname has rapidly increased over the past 7 days and now stands at 119 active cases. The country has now moved from Sporadic Cases to Clusters of Cases and contact tracing has intensified in several districts especially those at the border with French Guiana and Brazil.
PAHO/WHO was invited to view the proposed Alternative Medical Care Site (AMCS) for the management of mild cases and to provide technical guidance. It is a large building that has been retrofitted to accommodate approximately 120 COVID-19 positive patients who do not require hospitalization.
Utilizing the PAHO/WHO Technical Recommendations for the Selection of Alternative Medical Care Sites (AMCS), the PAHO Suriname team conducted a site visit to the proposed location and made recommendations to the Directoraat Nationale Veiligheid (Directorate for National Safety) and the Nursing team expected to provide services at this Site.
These recommendations included allocations of space for health care workers to maintain IPC standards, to rest and to manage supplies. Patient flow was also discussed, mapped and adjusted. Issues of cleaning and disinfection, security for staff and patients as well as the maintenance of appropriate sanitary conditions were also discussed. The DNV appreciated the advice received from PAHO and assured that they will consider these recommendations into the finalization of the AMCS.
