Health Minister Kim Wilson expressed disappointment that the media took the lead on reporting 11 new confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus at Westmeath Residential and Nursing Home.
Speaking at the latest government briefing on Friday the Minister confirmed that “the facility has 11 confirmed cases in residents – “one original case and 10 new cases”.
Citing the right to privacy, she said: “I’m disappointed at the complete lack of regard for patient confidentiality and sensitivity to residents, family and staff.
“All residents at Westmeath have been tested and all staff are being tested also.
“All residents deemed positive with the virus remain asymptomatic, however, we are continuing to follow isolation precautions and the protocol provided to us by the department of health.
“All staff who have received results from their testing are confirmed NEGATIVE cases at this time.
“The remainder of Westmeath’s staff will be tested tomorrow (Saturday).
“Staff will be working in only one area within the facility and will have limited contact where possible,” she added.
“Clinical staff will continue to care for each resident using proper personal protective equipment for positive and negative cases.”
Feature Photos Courtesy of TNNThe Minister’s confirmation came after an email was sent out to “Westmeath families”, obtained by TNN and other news outlets around noon on Friday.
That email stated: “I have spoken to many of you today regarding residents results. I am aware that some of you have not heard from the doctor, however at this time we consider that no news is good news.
“We can confirm that the facility has 11 confirmed cases in residents. One original case and 10 new cases. These cases are isolated to two units.
“All residents deemed positive with the virus remain asymptomatic, however, we are continuing to follow isolation precautions and the protocol provided to us by the department of health.
“All staff who have received results from their testing are confirmed NEGATIVE cases at this time. The remainder of Westmeaths staff will be tested tomorrow (Saturday).
“Staff will be working in only one area within the facility and will have limited contact where possible. Clinical staff will continue to care for each resident using proper personal protective equipment for positive and negative cases.”
But social media bloggers were not convinced that the Minister’s stance on the right to privacy as opposed the the public’s right to know.
One blogger asked: “Precisely what privacy right or privacy consideration does naming and publishing individual rest homes breach, Minister Wilson?”
That blogger added: “But what secrecy does do, it breeds social stigmatisation, and Bermuda should not fear, withdraw and/or psychologically abandon those fighting for their lives against this lethal virus.
“Bermuda should be praying and routing for every victim of this lethal disease equal to our cheers for the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to restore their health, and shining a reporter’s light allows the public, without personal intrusion, to do that.
- there are 55 active cases, of which
- 44 persons are under active public health monitoring, and
- 11 persons are hospitalized
- a total of 39 have now recovered, and
- the total deceased remains at 5
Meanwhile, 80 COVID-19 test results were processed on Friday, but the results will not be made available until doctors and patients have been informed.
The Minister said they they would be released today – no results will be released on Sunday.
In the interim, she said testing would be carried out at every care home on the island, with four out of 21 tested so far, including Westmeath and the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence.
The tests covered 116 residents and 136 staff.
Moving forward, the Minister said facilities would not be identified “unless we have to, from a public health point view, if we see transmission within the residence”.
As of Friday 61 test results came back – all negative.
There are currently 55 active cases with 11 people in hospital battling this lethal virus – 39 people have fully recovered.
The average age of “all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 18 to 91 years”.
The age range of COVID-19 patients in hospital runs between 57 and 91 years – the average age is 74.
Drive-through testing for uniformed services and other “high-risk essential workers” continues throughout the weekend.
In closing, the Minister said: “While much attention is rightly and currently on COVID-19 cases, it is important to remember that people continue to have other medical emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, serious infections etc.”
She noted that the hospital’s Emergency Department “is open 24-hours every day and urges you not to delay in getting medical attention for any medical emergency you or a loved one may experience”.
“Please call your doctors or 911, just as you would before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ms Wilson.
“Your condition could worsen if you do not get immediate medical attention.”
