The Ministry of Health and Wellness has assured schools, businesses and residents in the vicinity of the Isolation Centre at Enmore, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, that the area remains safe.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, was responding today to concerns raised by some members of the public after the Centre was identified as the facility where anyone arriving in Barbados with symptoms related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) would be placed in isolation and treated.
Dr. George explained that in the construction of the facility, which has been in place since the public health threat posed by Ebola in 2014, special emphasis was placed on safety and security.
“There is a double filtration system that involves HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration, as well as UV (ultraviolet) filtration. These systems combined make sure that all the air emanating from the facility is safe.”
He shared that the Centre had also been recognized by the Pan American Health Organization as being representative of “best practice”, and posed no risk to the public.
The Chief Medical Officer emphasized: “This type of facility was so designed to not only treat Ebola, but also to treat any new and emerging respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19.”
“In addition, there are bio-security features which relate to the movement of staff and patients into and out of the building,” he assured.
He said that the Ministry was committed to providing the public with up-to-date information on this public health challenge and to putting all necessary measures in place to protect residents.