COVID-19 patients will no longer be admitted to the Arima General Hospital as the Ministry of Health moves to fully decommission the facility, and convert it to a hybrid healthcare system.
Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh, said the Hospital currently has 20 COVID-19 patients, adding that a full decommissioning, including sanitisation, will be completed by the end of May.
During Wednesday’s COVID-19 Health Update, the Health Minister explained how the Arima Hospital and others that have been decommissioned will be used as the country prepares for a state of endemicity. Under the new hybrid system of healthcare, the Arima Hospital will continue to serve as a dialysis centre for COVID-19 patients, after the Hospital has been decommissioned. Minister Deyalsingh said the Arima Hospital will serve as a test to prepare the country for a hybrid form of healthcare.
The Tacarigua Racquet Centre is currently being de-constructed and will be returned to the Ministry of Sport and Community Development next week. Additionally, the Debe Step-Down Facility will be returned to the University of the West Indies soon.
Minister Deyalsingh said current capacity at the COVID-19 hospitals is at 19% – the lowest it has been since April last year.