1 new COVID-19 death, 31 new infections recorded

Guyana’s reported fatality from the coronavirus disease has been increased by one, taking the total death toll to 1,223.
The Health Ministry on Thursday identified the latest fatality as a 64-year-old unvaccinated female from Region Four, who died on March 2.
31 new cases of this disease have surfaced in one day, moving confirmed cases on the dashboard to 63,002 – a breakdown of 29,000 males and 34,002 females. 299 patients are in home isolation, 28 are in institutional isolation, and 13 are in institutional quarantine. Some 61,445 persons have since recovered from this disease.
Of the 420 active infections in the country, 35 persons are in hospital. This includes 25 cases at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, and seven in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
A breakdown of new infections has shown one for Region One (Barima-Waini), two for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 16 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), three for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), three for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and eight for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
No increases have been reported for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Speaking on the decline in positives, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony expressed on Thursday that new waves can emerge, but authorities remain hopeful. He contended, “This pandemic, we have seen it being driven by waves of infections. It’s because the virus would have mutated…
“While we’re hopeful that Omicron might be the last set of mutations that we’ll see, scientifically, we know that there might be others. Hopefully, they would not be at the level of a variant of concern, but maybe variants under investigation – which means that we’ll observe them, but they would not become so disruptive.”
Infections across hotspots have also declined significantly. Dr Anthony has pointed towards continued surveillance as new cases emerge every day, coupled with vaccination and booster uptake.
Among the adult population, first-dose vaccination coverage has moved to 433,155 doses, or 84.4 percent of that demographic, while second doses are pegged at 329,487 doses, or 64.2 percent of that demographic.
For the adolescent group, 33,629 first doses have been administered, as against 24,325 second doses, equivalent to respectively 46.1 percent and 33.4 percent of that demographic. Booster doses stand at 51,547 doses.
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.
Persons with comorbidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatments to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to, since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy (G12)