2 COVID-19 deaths, 52 new cases recorded

Guyana on Monday recorded two more Covid-19 deaths.
The Health Ministry reported that latest fatalities are a 62-year-old male and a 47-year-old female, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). Both persons died while receiving care at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
On Monday 52 new cases of COVID-19 was recorded, which propelled the total number of positive cases recorded in Guyana to 3521. Of this amount 2391 persons have recovered. The death toll is now at 106.
To date, some 1873 males and 1648 females have contracted the life-threatening virus.
In the Health Ministry’s dashboard, the data showed that 16 persons are still seeking medical treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
With five persons admitted to the institutional isolation, the figure stands at 118. Two persons were removed from institutional quarantine, which has a total of 58 patients. There are currently 892 persons on home isolation, a reduction of 27 patients in one day. The country also saw a total of 73 recoveries on Monday.
A breakdown has shown that eight new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), six in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 22 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 12 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one from Region Eight (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The figures in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remained the same, at 54 and 367 respectively.
There have been zero deaths for the week thus far, after 16 were reported throughout the course of last week.
As of October 1, the COVID-19 emergency measures (NO. 10) were published, outlining a change in the countrywide curfew to 9 pm to 4 am too allow certain businesses to operate for a longer period. For example, gas stations, salons and supermarkets can now close at 20:00h.
Government has reiterated that this is not an opportunity for persons to party or socialize, but simply to enable citizens to conduct their transactions. Farmers and fishermen are now benefitting from increased timing to ply their trades. Businesses who flout the measures will be given a warning and on the second violation, they will be asked to close their doors indefinitely.
“We have not relaxed or reduced the measures for anyone to go out there and party and socialize and feel more relaxed. There’s a simple reason why we did it so people could conduct their activities whether it be work, place of business, farming and get home to their families…This serious business and if you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying, wear the mask and encourage those around you,” Prime Minister Mark Phillips had indicated.
Gyms and bars are among the services to remain closed. Meanwhile, there are special measures for Regions Seven and Nine, inclusive of restricted travel.
The ministry explained that these new measures were made following a rapid assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country. (G12)