1 new COVID-19 case recorded bringing total positive cases to 206

– active cases remain at 87

There has been one new case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) locally, increasing the positives to 206.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud provided the daily update on Tuesday, which showed the number of deaths remaining at 12. With 107 recoveries, there are still 87 active cases in institutional isolation and 22 patients in institutional quarantine.

One individual was transferred in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) over the past day.
With Guyana at the helm of repatriating persons stranded overseas, the CMO insisted that they should follow all guidelines and present accurate information to health officials.
“Guyana is at the crossroads in this pandemic. We must put a handle on the number of reported cases, and so I wish to plead with our repatriating nationals to act responsibly and provide the health authorities with accurate information on their arrival. This is the only way that the Ministry and the surveillance team will effectively be able to monitor you and manage the COVID -19 situation. Today I wish to focus on the barbershops and their clientele,” he advised.
At present, the male population continues to be mostly at risk. He stated that barbershops are the venues where many persons are accustomed to “congregate, socialise and have conversations on whatever topic is current” but presently, they should make the choice to desist from such risky practices.
“The owner of the barbershop has the responsibility to ensure that physical distancing is observed; no overcrowding, and that there is provision for handwashing. Wearing a mask must also be an important part of the set-up. As it relates to children, you should look after them separately and not have them mingle with the general crowd; you can either set up appointments for them or have a special time when only children will be accommodated,” Dr Persaud advised.
With reports of students contracting the virus, he urged those reporting to school to practice good hygiene and the guidelines outlined. This is the second week of school activities to prepare for the respective examinations.
“A special appeal is being made to you our students. I know that the countdown to your exams has begun…We encourage you and your friends to follow the guidelines which have been outlined for your safety and protection.”
On Monday, the National COVID-19 Task Force held an emergency multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the alarming increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in parts of Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
According to the Task Force, decisions were taken to implement enhanced containment measures within the affected areas in these regions and these will be gazetted shortly. “The enhanced containment measures will include cease work orders for specific areas in the mining sector, screening, wider testing, checkpoints and other measures in several locations within Regions One and Seven. Specific details will be provided subsequently.
These measures are necessary and urgent by the medical experts so as to prevent the wider spread of COVID-19 in these two regions along with other regions,” the Task Force said on Monday evening.
Globally, the total number of positive cases is 8,860,331 with 465,740 deaths. In the region of the Americas, the total number of positive cases is 4,370, 519 with 221,771 deaths.