100,620 Pfizer vaccines arrive from US Govt

…4 more COVID deaths, 162 new cases

The United States Government on Friday contributed another tranche of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to Guyana through the COVAX mechanism, amounting to 100,620 jabs.

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch joined Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and other officials to receive the consignment at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
She later commented, “I hope this donation encourages more Guyanese to take the jab. None of us is safe until all of us are safe; with COVID-19 infections unchecked, countries’ health-care systems are at risk of collapse, and we will see higher mortality rates, broader transmission, and the possibility of new variants spreading – continuing to put Americans and Guyanese at risk.”
In August, the US has sent 146,250 doses of the vaccine, enabling Government to commence vaccination for children over 12 years of age. The double-dose vaccine has an efficacy of about 95 per cent and is one of two vaccines approved for children by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Government has been aiming to vaccinate 80 to 85 per cent of the population completely in order to reach herd immunity. Towards this goal, it has been actively purchasing and securing vaccines through several sources.
In Guyana, 366,190 first doses have been administered, representing 71.4 per cent of the adult population. Some 220,017 persons or 42.9 per cent have received their second doses.
Some 25,615 first doses have been administered to adolescents – 35.1 per cent of that population.
First-dose uptake is 78.2 per cent in Region One (Barima-Waini); 58.2 per cent in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 67.6 per cent in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 80 per cent in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 70.1 per cent in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 72.6 per cent in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 71.1 per cent in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 44.3 per cent in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 72.5 per cent in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 30.8 per cent in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
In terms of second doses, the figure stands at 37.4 per cent for Region One, 36.4 per cent for Region Two, 39.5 per cent for Region Three, 49.3 per cent for Region Four, 43 per cent for Region Five, 44.1 per cent for Region Six, 38.6 per cent for Region Seven, 29.6 per cent for Region Eight , 46.1 per cent for Region Nine and 14.2 per cent for Region 10.

New deaths, cases
Four more patients who were infected with COVID-19 have died, taking the country’s death toll to 825.
The latest fatalities include two women –- an 80-year-old woman from Region Nine and a 70-year-old from Region Four – who died on October 7. Later on October 8, a 65-year-old man died.
The fourth death was recorded since September 30 – a 38-year-old female from Region Four. Two persons were unvaccinated, one was vaccinated, and the status of the fourth is unknown.
New deaths were accompanied by 162 new infections, taking the total positive cases of COVID-19 recorded to date to 33,337. There are 30 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 169 in institutional isolation, 3450 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine. This translates to 3640 active cases across the country while recoveries stand at 28,883.
A breakdown shows two new cases in Region One, 10 cases in Region Two, 17 in Region Three, 80 in Region Four, five in Region Five, two in Region Six, 11 in Region Seven, three in Region Eight, six in Region Nine, and nine in Region 10.
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.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise: correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and good hand hygiene. (G12)