1 new COVID death, 72 new cases

The Health Ministry has reported a total of 1203 COVID-19 deaths as of Thursday, with the announcement of one more fatality from the virus.
The latest death is that of a 77-year-old woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who died on Wednesday. She was fully vaccinated.
Statistics have shown that 72 more persons were infected in one day. Of the 62,537 total confirmed cases, 28,794 are males and the remaining 33,743 are females.
There are 10 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 84 in institutional isolation, 940 in home isolation and 16 in institutional quarantine. For now, there are 60,300 recovered cases.
Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among eight regions, with nine in Region One (Barima-Waini); six in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 32 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 15 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 17 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no new cases in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Active COVID infections account for 1168 of total confirmed cases.
Vaccination statistics indicate that in the adult population, 429,643 first doses and 323,662 second doses, reflecting 83.8 per cent and 63.1 per cent respectively, have been administered. Another 23,873 or 32.7 per cent of persons within the 12 to 17 age group are fully vaccinated. Booster doses stand at 47,555.
In responding to questions on whether the Infectious Diseases Hospital is equipped to handle emergency cases or conditions, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony underscored, “The COVID-19 hospital is an annex of the Georgetown Public Hospital so all the professionals that work at the GPHC are available to the staff at the COVID-19 hospital.”
In an instance where a surgery or any specialised procedure is required, a team from GPHC would be dispatched to the East Coast Demerara facility to perform such. A surgical theatre at the COVID hospital is where patients would undergo operations.
The Health Minister also addressed recent headlines surrounding the death of a three-year-old child unincluded in the country’s COVID-19 death toll. He pointed out that the protocols for categorising such deaths have not changed, but clarified that the primary cause of death was not COVID-19.
“There has been no change to the protocols. When you do certification of death, there is a primary reason why the person died and there are other secondary/tertiary reasons that contributed to the death. In this particular case, the primary reason was not COVID. The primary reason was another diagnosis. The child had to undergo surgery and so, the primary reason that resulted in the death was totally different from COVID,” Dr Anthony stressed.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older, to get vaccinated against COVID-19, correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of 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 on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy. (G12)