A 50-year-old female from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is the latest person to die from COVID-19 in Guyana. This has raised the country’s total deaths to 478. 
The Health Ministry informed on Saturday that she died on July 2 while receiving care at a medical facility. Since the beginning of the new month, two persons have succumbed to the life-threatening disease.
Some 1285 swabs were taken for analysis, in which 74 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in one day. Now, the total infections have reached 20,305 – 9913 males and 10,392 females.
In the facilities, 18 persons are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 95 in institutional isolation, and nine in institutional quarantine. Another 1410 persons are in home isolation. Guyana has swabbed 192,548 persons, of which 16,042 have since recovered.
A breakdown of new cases showed six in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 11 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 38 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), four in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and two Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Addressing myths about the coronavirus and vaccines on Friday was Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony as he outlined that fake information and rumours can drive vaccine hesitancy. Authorities have been working to dispel such information in the public domain, especially on social media.
“If people believe these myths, then it is going to make them hesitant. It is going to confuse them. It is going to make them hesitant about taking the vaccine. Undoing that damage that was done by the false information would take a lot more effort because if somebody believed this, it’s going to be harder for you to dispel that belief. In some cases, that is what we’re fighting because these things spread all over the place on social media, and you don’t know what people are reading,” he noted.
He encouraged persons to fact-check information that they read or hear before believing or spreading it to others. If a person has doubts, they were asked to visit a reputable website where this can be clarified.
“As we find them out, we try to dispel them but I think sometimes people got to use their common sense. Take a step back and think about it and see whether this makes sense or not…Think through these things and don’t be fooled by people who are going to put your life at risk with fake information. Don’t believe the fake information that is out there. If you want to get proper information, go to the science-based websites.”
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene. (G12)
