QEH refutes COVID rumours

There is no COVID-19 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

The Board of Management is refuting claims being made in multiple voice notes circulating via Whatsapp which allege that various departments, including the Accident and Emergency Department (AED), have been “struck” by the coronavirus.

“We recognise that there is heightened anxiety surrounding the spread of the coronavirus within our communities, and acknowledge that like else where there may be patients and or staff who may unwittingly be COVID-19 positive,” management said in a release.

“However, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is in the process of a contact tracing exercise aimed at identifying the primary and secondary contacts of all known COVID-19 positive individuals. If any employees of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are identified as primary contacts of a known COVID-19 positive case, these individuals will be removed from active duty until cleared to return to work by the relevant public health authorities. By the same token, if any patients at the hospital are confirmed as COVID-19 positive, they will be transferred to an isolation facility for further care.”

Management appealed to members of the public to “stop the dangerous practice of sharing false information particularly during this time of national crisis”.

Additionally, official releases from the QEH will be made via its website www.qehconnect.com and social media sites. (PR/SAT)