An alarming spike of 11 new COVID-19 fatalities was announced by the Health Ministry on Friday, moving confirmed cases up to 1122 and continuing the trend associated with this new wave.
The Health Ministry informed that only one of these persons was partially vaccinated. Four were unvaccinated while the status of the others was unknown. The new deaths were reported between January 19 and January 21, 2022.
Among the fatalities were seven females from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), aged: 79, 59, 93, 84, 74, 55 and 54. The others were males: an 86-year-old from Region One (Barima-Waini); an 87-year-old from Region Four; a 79-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); and a 47-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Within one day, over 4000 persons were tested and 892 swabs returned positive. From the 55,628 total confirmed cases, 25,810 are males and the remaining 29,818 are females.
There are 19 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 160 in institutional isolation, 12,314 in home isolation and 15 in institutional quarantine. For now, recovered cases have reached 42,013 from the total infections recorded locally.
Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among nine regions, with eight in Region One (Barima-Waini), 12 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 146 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 487 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 33 in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 117 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 46 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 39 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 28 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) did not increase.
Commenting on infections on the basis of gender, the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony outlined on Friday that the difference is insignificant.
Booster doses
He provided the latest vaccination figures, which show that 419,980 adults or 81.9 per cent of that cohort have received a first dose. Second doses are at 307,445 or 59.9 per cent.
Meanwhile, in the 12 to 17 age category, 22,604 or 31 per cent are fully immunised. Booster doses have seen a significant hike at 32,270 doses being administered. Government started administering booster shots after studies around the world showed that the efficacy of the vaccines wanes after six months of receiving both doses.
Persons have been advised to take their booster doses, especially amid circulation of the Omicron variant that is highly transmissible.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until January 31, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; 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 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)
