As has been widely reported, Peru is one of the countries most gravely affected by the Covid19 pandemic and Piura has not been spared. I am grateful to the Chairman of the local Committee for the following update on the situation in the Home.
Since July, Piura is no longer under full lockdown but there is still a curfew. Unfortunately, there has been a second wave of infection with even more cases than at the previous peak in May and hospitals at full capacity. Locals reportedly believe that the second wave spread mostly through family gatherings.
The staff of the Home who tested positive for the virus are back at work after their quarantine. They have been followed up with testing both by the Ministry of Health and the Home. Staff and residents are all well. The children are being kept in the Home, with none of their customary outings. To minimise commuting time and contagion risk, staff are working from 7am to 7pm, for two consecutive days, followed by a day off at home. They all use PPE and there are strict hygiene protocols in place.
There were difficulties with the supply of medicines during the worst of the pandemic because the hospitals were giving priority to Covid19 and did not have some of the drugs needed by the children. The Home managed to buy 4 months provisions of neurological drugs and the children do not lack for anything and are being well cared for.
The donations in kind from local businesses and individuals, on which the Home is so dependent, dropped during lockdown but now are gradually resuming. The government has also resumed the daily provision of some milk and food to the Home.
Very sadly, the Treasurer of the local Committee, Sra. Amabilia Arellano, has died from the cancer that she had been fighting for some time. It had been thought that her condition was improving but it worsened under the current difficult circumstances. May she rest in peace.
Thank you, Katharine. In the circumstances, they seem to be doing quite well. Many thanks to the staff there for all their hard work.
very best wishes to everyone
Presumably and hopefully the extra money donations in last Spring following an appeal helped a bit?
Thank you for the update, much appreciated. Good news that everyone is managing in these very difficult circumstances. My love, prayers and thanks to everyone involved.
Very well done to all those who have somehow managed to enable supplies, medical, food etc for the Home in these times of pandemic. Also,the staff. With every possible good wish.
Clemency Ames
Thank you for the update. I hope they all manage to stay safe. Very sad to hear of Amabilia’s death.
Thank you for the update on the home.
It puts everything into perspective when we hear about situations in other countries .
Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Thank you for the update on the home and my thanks too, to all of you for coping so well in these difficult times.