13 new COVID-19 cases; death toll now at 52

The Health Ministry announced on Friday that 13 new novel coronavirus cases were reported, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Guyana now up to 1763.
This was reflected in the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard. Of the total number of cases, 867 are males and 896 are females.
Currently, there are only 567 active cases in Guyana. This includes 13 patients in the designated COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and 554 persons in isolation – 46 in institutional isolation and the remaining 508 in home isolation.
Additionally, there are 92 persons in institutional quarantine.
The total number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease is now 1144. This is 56 more recoveries than the figure last reported.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported on Friday that the COVID-19 deaths have gone up to 52 – one more than Thursday’s figure of 51. However, it was explained that the Ministry’s Surveillance Department did a complete reconciliation of its data and discovered that its list does not include a COVID-related death which was reported early August.
Hence, its master sheet was updated to correctly reflect the number of COVID-related deaths recorded in Guyana. The country’s death toll went up on Thursday after three more persons died from complications caused by the novel coronavirus.
On the other hand, of the 13 new cases recorded on Friday, one is from Region One (Barima-Waini); eight from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and the remaining four in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The COVID-19 figures in the other seven regions remained unchanged.
To date, Guyana has tested a total of 10,592 persons for the novel coronavirus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated countries around the world – not only infecting millions of persons and causing nearly one million deaths but also heavily impacted the global economy, including the major developed countries.
The region of the Americas, which is inclusive of the Caribbean, is among one of the hardest hit.
Today, the citizens within the region will be observing Caribbean Wellness Day 2020 under the theme “Power Through Collective Action — Stronger Together 2020”.
In his message on this occasion, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted that the annual observance of Caribbean Wellness Day seeks to promote healthy living through activities and programmes that support wellness and overall healthy living.
However, he pointed out that this year, the focus is on raising awareness about mental illness and mental health, addressing stigma and discrimination — especially toward frontline, essential and/or healthcare workers; and promoting coping strategies aimed at reducing stress, in particular, during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 has no doubt disrupted and changed our lives. For many Guyanese, living through the pandemic has led to heightened anxiety and unease. Some are still trying to cope with the new realities of working from home, working on a temporary basis, taking of our children all day, or homeschooling our young ones. Some are still trying to come to grips with new guidelines which restrict social activities and, in some cases, have led to a lack of physical contact with family members and friends,” the Minister stated.
Dr Anthony went on to say that as a consequence of the struggles of being isolated, flattening the curve and reducing the spread of COVID-19 require sacrifices and adaptation of new strategies to stay connected with loved ones virtually.
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, he outlined that the number of healthcare providers involved in managing the crisis is increasing.
“Our healthcare and essential workers who put their lives on the line every day to care for and treat COVID-19 patients are faced with challenges of stigma and discrimination. Many of our healthcare workers have been denied entry to public transportation and the community due to the perception that they may be infected and could transmit the virus to others. This puts them at higher risk of developing psychological problems,” he posited.
Further, the Health Minister noted that the occasional absence of doctors, nurses and other essential workers from daily operations at medical facilities can have a shattering impact on service delivery. As such, he asserted that stigma and discrimination must be rooted out of society.
On this note, he highlighted that the Health Ministry, through its Mental Health Unit, will continue to work with its partners in health to provide psychological support to those affected by the deadly COVID-19 disease.
In fact, they have begun providing guidance and advice for healthcare workers, people in isolation and those in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.
“We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone has someone to turn to for psychological support. As we observe Caribbean Wellness Day, we, therefore, urge everyone to stay well… Check on people around you, and stay connected despite social distancing. In the absence of being able to see your friends and family in person, a video call could help to bridge the gap. Let us stay stronger and healthier together at all times, and even more so during these COVID-19 times in which we live,” Dr Anthony stated.
The Caricom Conference of Heads of Government in 2007 had declared the second Saturday in September as Caribbean Wellness Day. (G8)