Athletes in good spirits in Kenya quarantine
Published:Tuesday | August 24, 2021 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
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Team Jamaica physician Dr David Walcott has praised its nine members who tested positive for COVID-19 at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, for their maturity shown in quarantine. Four of the individuals tested positive...
Team Jamaica physician Dr David Walcott has praised its nine members who tested positive for COVID-19 at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, for their maturity shown in quarantine.
Four of the individuals tested positive earlier in the week, then the others tested positive ahead of their trip back to Jamaica yesterday. They will all remain in Kenya with the team’s medical staff until September 2.
Walcott, who has done work with the World Economic Forum on COVID-19, said that managing situations like this is his speciality.
“They are taking things in stride,” Walcott told The Gleaner. “Naturally it is very frustrating. However, they have all demonstrated a level of maturity and understanding of their situation.
“I really have to salute them for the level of professionalism they have displayed.”
Walcott has the support of his junior doctor, Marlon Reid, along with the team physiotherapist, Pier Ann Brown, and masseur Gavin James.
MAIN FOCUS
With all the athletes in good physical condition, Walcott says that the main focus is now on safeguarding their mental health.
“Our responsibility is to keep these guys safe and manage them, not just from an injury perspective, but any medical concerns including COVID and their psychology,” he said. “So we have been very clear in providing as much physical and psychological support as their medical team.
“The medical team is pretty experienced in managing COVID positive patients and what we have now prioritised is the athletes’ mental space.”
Jamaica was the team with the largest number at the Championships (41), and Walcott says they are happy to have contained the spread.
Walcott says the athletes, who are all asymptomatic and in isolation, are in no need as they get round-the-clock attendance.
“We are very close to the athletes and we talk to them every day and check in on them constantly,” he said. “So we are right there with them every step of the way. We are here for 10 days and I am happy that none of the athletes are even moderately ill.”
Jamaica captured 11 medals consisting of three gold, six silver, and two bronze at the meet.