Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant:  ‘Increased Patient Activity…COVID-19 Admissions Update’

#TurksandCaicos, October 22, 2021 – TCI Hospital has recorded increased patient activity in August 2021 compared to the same period last year. The latter was due to the local onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Emergency Department recorded 1620 patient visits in August 2021 compared to 1069 patient visits in August 2020. This reflects an increase of 52%.
• The Outpatient Department recorded 4229 patient visits in August 2021 compared to 2953 patient visits in August 2020. This reflects an increase of 43%.
• The Inpatient Unit recorded 170 patient admissions in August 2021 compared to 162 admissions in August 2020. This reflects an increase of 5%.
• The Diagnostic Imaging Service performed 10,964 examinations in August 2021 compared to 7,475 exams in August 2020. This reflects an increase of 47%.
• The Visiting Consultant Service recorded 183 patients who were seen face to face in August 2021, which is significantly larger compared to August 2020.

This is due to COVID-19 measures such as travel restrictions and other factors.

Last year, where clinically suitable, a larger number of virtual consultations were introduced across services as an alternative to in-person sessions.

Visiting Consultants mainly operate services on a monthly or quarterly basis and therefore the number of sessions can vary based on the month/time of year.

COVID-19 ADMISSIONS AT TCI HOSPITAL TCI Hospital continues to monitor the trend of active COVID-19 infections in the community and the number of patients’ admitted to the Inpatient Unit. The Inpatient Unit includes areas such as the General Ward, High Dependency Unity, Maternity Ward and Special Care Baby Unit. A total of 19 patients were admitted to TCI Hospital between the months of July 2021 to October 2021, which locally represents the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Number of Admissions by month is as follows:

• Two (2) patients were admitted with COVID-19 in July 2021
• Eleven (11) patients were admitted with COVID-19 in August 2021
• Five (5) patients were admitted with COVID-19 in September 2021
• One (1) patients were admitted with COVID-19 in October 2021 Breakdown By Gender
• 63% of COVID-19 admitted patients were females
• 37% of COVID-19 admitted patients were males. Breakdown by Age
• 10.4% of COVID-19 admitted patients were 25 years old or younger
• 10.6% of COVID-19 admitted patients were between 26 to 40 years old
• 47% of COVID-19 admitted patients were between 41 to 60 years old
• 32% of COVID-19 admitted patients were older than 60 years old Epidemiological Considerations
• 74% had Chronic Non-communicable Diseases of which the top was Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, High Cholesterol and Heart Disease.
• The remaining 26% had no non- Chronic Non-communicable Diseases. Breakdown by Vaccination
• 16% of COVID-19 admitted patients were vaccinated.
• 5% of COVID-19 admitted patients partially vaccinated.
• 79% of COVID-19 admitted patients were unvaccinated. Breakdown by Overseas Transfer
• Of the total COVID-19 patients admitted during the period under review, 42% required transfer overseas for ICU care at tertiary level facilities.
• 58% of COVID-19 admitted patients were treated at TCI Hospital, an acutesecondary level health care facility. Death Breakdown
• 3 COVID-19 admitted patients passed away at TCI Hospital during the period under review.

This amount excludes patients who passed away after transfer overseas for medical care.