New forces to relieve workload epidemiological service

WILLEMSTAD - Epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth said during the government press conference yesterday that there are complaints about the long waiting time that has arisen before people get their results from a COVID-19 test.

"People have to wait a long time to hear their results because a small group of people are doing the work. But the number of people needing to be tested is increasing," Gerstenbluth explained. "The work has now increased, and this has created a backlog."

So there is a shortage of personnel and that is also the reason that vacancies were published a few weeks ago to attract new employees who can help with the execution of the tests. These are temporary jobs.

Minister Zita Jesus-Leito of Health, Environment and Nature announced on Monday that more than 800 people have responded to the vacancy advertisement from the Ministry of Health.

The new forces are currently being incorporated; the minister says. This will bring some relief to the ministry, especially the Department of Public Health (GGD). Due to the many COVID-19 tests in recent times and the shortage of personnel, a backlog has arisen.

Gerstenbluth further said yesterday that the help of general practitioners has been called in to inform people who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. That way, all people can be informed as quickly as possible, says Gerstenbluth.




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