15 new COVID cases in 24h, 3 in ICU

The Health Ministry on Sunday reported that 15 new COVID-19 infections were detected, thus taking the number of positive cases to 63,055. The death toll, however, remains at 1223 while the Ministry is monitoring 321 active cases.
New statistics showed that there are three patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 300 in home isolation, 18 in institutional isolation and nine in institutional quarantine. Some 61,511 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 545,519 tests have been conducted.
In terms of new infections, four were recorded in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); seven in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
No new cases were reported in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The most recent vaccination numbers show 433,497 or 84.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first COVID vaccine dose while 330,026 or 64.3 per cent are completely immunised.
For the 12 to 17 age group, 33,661 or 46.2 per cent received a first dose and 24,373 or 33.4 per cent took both doses. In terms of booster doses, 51,925 persons have received their jabs.
This past week, antiviral drug Molnupiravir was approved for use in the treatment of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, targeting mainly patients with moderate symptoms to prevent the severe form of the disease from manifesting.
Produced by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the oral medication has proven to significantly reduce both hospitalisations and deaths. On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation updated its guidelines on COVID-19 therapeutics to include the conditional recommendation on Molnupiravir.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had also announced that a local agency was given the green light to import the drug and the Government would activate efforts to introduce it into the public health system.
Persons with comorbidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their conditions. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of persons is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
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.
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.
Globally, almost 439 million people have tested positive for the virus and over 5.96 million have died. In the Americas, more than 147 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.6 million deaths.