5 Questions with Michael Garron Hospital

Sarah Downey hosts third community edition of ‘5 Questions’ with infectious diseases physician, Dr. Janine McCready

Sarah Downey, president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), asked Dr. Janine McCready, infectious diseases physician at MGH, five questions about what we currently know about COVID-19.

You have questions and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) has answers.

In MGH’s third community edition of “5 Questions with President and CEO Sarah Downey” video series, Sarah interviews Dr. Janine McCready, infectious diseases physician, about what we currently know and understand about COVID-19. Dr. McCready is member of MGH’s infection prevention and control team and has played a vital role in MGH’s pandemic response.

Watch the video to find out the answers to the following 5 questions:

1. I've heard reports that people can get re-infected with COVID-19. Is this true? (0:40)
Key points:
Some of the reports stating that people are getting re-infected are based on tests that cannot tell the difference between a live and dead virus and are picking up parts of the dead virus which isn’t indicative of a new infection. There is currently research being done to determine whether people can truly get re-infected and when.

2. If a person dies from COVID-19, should they be cremated? (2:43)
Key points:
From an infection prevention and control perspective, a person who dies from COVID-19 does not need to be cremated, unless that is the family’s wish. Funeral homes know how to safely follow a family’s wishes once a body has been safely transferred to them.

3. If I work with COVID-positive patients, should I be living in a separate area from my family at home and is showering/hand washing enough? (3:26)
Key points:
If you have used your personal protective equipment (PPE) carefully which keeps you safe, you do not need to live in a separate area. Maintain good hygiene practices, especially when it comes to hand hygiene. If you are following protocols, you aren’t at any greater risk of getting sick than any other person. If you’ve had a lapse with your PPE, you should reconsider your risk.

4. I was reading that a ventilator can do more harm than good for COVID-19 patients as everyone’s lungs react differently. Is that true and what is the hospital doing? (6:03)
Key points:
Ventilators can be life-saving in certain situations when a patient is deteriorating quickly, but they don’t need to be used in every situation as we have seen from hospitals across the world. MGH uses a variety of measures depending on the severity of the illness.

5. There have been reports with success of antiviral medications. Are we getting close to a cure and are we involved in any trials? (8:36)
Key points:
There isn’t a cure yet but there are trials happening across the world to find one. MGH is also involved in certain treatment trials. The jury is still out on antiviral medications as the studies are in their early stages.


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