The Netherlands is the third-best prepared country in the world, were an outbreak to occur
The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the biggest hospital in the North of The Netherlands, is fully prepared ready for the reception and treatment of patients with the new novel corona virus.
So far, the measures taken have been entirely precautionary: there is not a single report of the disease in Groningen, nor in the rest of The Netherlands. There is also no reason to expect that there will be any change in the near future, as reported in the Groninger Internet Courant.
The UMCG is prepared for the possible reception of patients with the corona virus. The hospital reports this on its website. The UMCG says it is overwhelmed with questions about the virus and has put answers to the most frequently asked questions on its website.
When asked what measures and preparations the UMCG has taken, the hospital answered that it is well prepared for the reception of patients with the new Coronavirus or a virus that is similar to that. “We have sufficient isolation rooms in which we can nurse (possibly) infected patients. There is enough protective material such as mouth caps, splash goggles and so on. And above all: we have the expertise of doctors-microbiologists, infectious disease specialists; molecular biologists, and infection prevention experts” says the hospital.
The hospital emphasises that measures against any infection from the new Coronavirus are only necessary if the virus is really around. “As long as there is no virus activity in The Netherlands and in our region, measures are not useful.”
If a ‘suspect’ patient is nevertheless included in the UMCG, the hospital will take additional isolating measures. UMCG employees are not yet taking any special measures against the virus. “Everyone uses basic hygiene, as always”, said the hospital.
Recently, the 2019 Global Health Security index said that the Netherlands is the third-best prepared country in the world, were any pandemic to take place. The US and UK were placed first and second, respectively.
Image via the UMCG
