17 new COVID-19 cases, 44 recoveries recorded

…Health Ministry to introduce antigen tests this week

Guyana has confirmed a total of 5423 cases of COVID-19, after 17 new positives were reported on Tuesday.
The Health Ministry’s latest statistics showed the death toll remaining at 151. There are three patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 62 persons in institutional isolation, 771 in home isolation and 35 in institutional quarantine.
To date, there were a total of 4436 recoveries – 44 of which were recorded in one day. Some 30,355 persons have also been tested for the virus.
A breakdown showed that one new case was recorded in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 16 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). There are still 848 cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), 125 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 402 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 40 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 246 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 471 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 180 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 379 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced on Tuesday that they will start introducing rapid antigen testing in Guyana from this week, apart from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and antibody test that are being offered already.
During the COVID-19 update, he shared that the results from these tests are available in some 20 minutes.
“As of this week, we will start introducing antigen testing, which is different from PCR. PCR we regard as the gold standard and when you take a swab from a patient. You will have to send that swab to the laboratories. In this case, when you take the swab, you can perform the test at the point where you’re taking the swab. Depending on the type of test you’re using, it would probably take about 20 minutes to do,” the Minister indicated.
This type of testing gives an immediate indication of whether a patient has COVID-19 or not, by identifying fragments of the virus. He clarified that it is not an antibody test, but rather a test for the antigen that can help to determine whether a person is infectious.
“What this helps us to do, it identifies fragments of the virus and it allows us to get a better picture about what is happening with this patient, rather than waiting for a 24-hour period and then we would get a result though PCR.”
This third testing option is to ensure that healthcare workers can test persons immediately, in light of any signs that they are infected. Moreover, patients can be admitted much faster.
“A lot of time, the doctors are very sceptical about admitting patients because they need to know their status. When you wait 24 hours, you need to put them in a transition area and wait until you’re certain from the PCR. This would reduce that time because if they are determined to be positive, then we can immediately isolate them. If they’re negative, then we’ll get them into the ward and be able to provide regular care,” Dr Anthony outlined. (G12)