17 new COVID-19 cases recorded in 1 day

…active cases now 225

Another 17 new COVID-19 cases were recorded as of Saturday, moving the total statistics to a worrying 430 positives. 
As of Friday, the total number of cases was just 413 – meaning that this large increased accounts for only one day.
The Public Health Ministry’s daily dashboard showed that the number of deaths is still at 20. There are 225 persons in institutional isolation. Of that amount, 38 persons are in institutional quarantine and three persons in the Intensive Care Unit. Meanwhile, 185 recoveries were recorded.
Thus far, a total of 4801 tests were conducted and 4371 of which returned negative.
Additional data shows that Guyana ranks fifth in the Caribbean Community, for the highest number of coronavirus cases within member states.
This alarming trend is also shown when the death rates are compared, to which the country leads in second place.
Statistics show that Haiti has the highest number of cases amounting to some 7378; followed by Suriname with 1650, Jamaica with 856 and the Bahamas with 484 cases. Guyana occupies the fifth spot with over 410 cases while Trinidad and Tobago remain at sixth with just 173 cases.
The country has the second-highest fatality rate of 20, and comes just under Suriname with 26.
Other countries which follow in descending order are Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis; and Monsterrat.
Phase Four of the country’s reopening process commenced on Saturday. This stage remains the same as Phase Three but places of worship are now allowed to recommence in-person worshipping, prayers, weddings and funerals in a controlled manner.
In this regard, these religious buildings are only permitted to host 25 per cent of their total capacity and the surroundings must be sanitised as soon as the services are over.
The curfew was extended from 20:00h to 06:00h (8 pm to 6 am) until August 15, unless extended or amended by notice through the Public Health Minister after an assessment of the prevailing health conditions.
This is only applicable to Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturdays and Sundays only; while mining areas and coordinates listed in the gazette document will follow the 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm to 6 am) curfew timings.
Persons are still not allowed to travel into or out of these areas without authorisation from the Ministry and it was decided that “all mining operations shall cease” – amid several calls from organisations and concerned stakeholders about the serious implications and risks. Further, the Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correia Airports shall remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo, medevacs, special authorised flights and technical stops for fuel only. All other conditions related to public service, transportation and dining among others remain the same as was previously outlined. (G12)