Child at Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center Tests Positive for COVID-19

There is a most alarming situation at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center which houses children on Saint Thomas Street where there is a potential of a spread of the coronavirus.  One out of the twenty-three resident children at the institution has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while seven others were taken for medical care based on symptoms related to COVID-19.  Only two children have been tested, one is positive and the other negative, but we note that the Ministry of Health is recommending that other children who were displaying symptoms be tested along with some staff who were in close contact with the child.  Now, the positive victim and the child that tested negative were placed in separate rooms within the isolation area and those with respiratory symptoms are in quarantine.  The Ministry of Human Development confirmed via press release that these staff members are now quarantining at home and new staff members are being identified to temporarily cover their duties.  The staff that works within the quarantine and isolation areas was provided with P.P.E.s.  Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that the Ministry of Health is currently conducting contact tracing and monitoring the children’s health.

Marvin Manzanero

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“I am aware of the situation. Protocols are established as t what is to be done and I believe they have been following those. Ministry of Health does the usual contact tracing to find out where the potential source is. As with any other case in those particular setting which can get quickly out of hand if you don’t do quick containment you have to make sure that you able to quickly identify, isolate and contain the further spread.”