Moreguina Health Centre in Abau District, Central Province has shut down its outpatient services temporarily on Friday 14th January after the health centre recorded 3 positive covid 19 cases amongst the inpatients in their two inpatient wards.
Moreguina OICE Ravu Kapa said every other outpatient services are put on halt until further notice from them, as for now they will only attend to emergency cases.
The 3 confirmed cases were admitted in the wards for Malaria but had shown very high fever, and when PCR covid test was carried on these 3 and sent to Kwikilia Health Centre lab last week, results came back positive on Wednesday 12th January 2022.
After the results came back. a rapid test followed by 32 PCR test was done with all those that came into close contact with the 3 cases.
“4 health workers and their families including the trainee nurses from Asia Pacific and Tuna Bay Nursing Schools were all tested but luckily all test results came back negative,’’ said Mr Kapa.
“However 2 other results came back positive and these 2 new cases are relatives of the 3 confirmed cases,” he said.
A total of 5 confirmed cases altogether were recorded at Moreguina last week and there is a chance of covid 19 community transmission in Moreguina and the entire Abau District because these 5 confirmed cases have been amongst their families and have been exposed to other community members before falling sick and whilst being sick and later brought to the health centre,” said Mr Kapa.
Therefore the best thing to do now is for everyone to come forward for swabbing because the health centre is still carrying out swab tests.
Mr Kapa is urging the immediate families of the 5 confirmed cases as well as those that have come into contact with these cases in the last 14 days to come in for testing as soon as possible.
“Right now, I want to contain the spread of the virus that is why I have decided to shut down the health centre and monitor all those in the ward including the 5 cases that are in isolation right now.”
Mr Kapa said the decision to shut down Moreguina Health Centre is done upon directives from the Central Provincial Health Authority , Acting Director for Public Health Mr Marshall Buru as well and the Central Provincial Covid 19 Snr Responds Officer.
“All are asked to go to Kupiano health centre to access health services there because Kupiano health centre is ready and willing to help patients from Moreguina, but we can only attend to emergency cases only at this time,” said Mr Kapa