2 men succumb to COVID; 53 new cases detected in 24 hours

The Health Ministry on Saturday reported that two more men who were tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed, thus taking the country’s death toll to 1210.
The fatalities are a 71-year-old from Region Four and a 52-year-old from Region Three. They both died on February 18 while receiving treatment at a medical facility. One of the men was fully vaccinated while the other was unvaccinated.
However, new statistics released by the Ministry revealed that 53 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours. This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 62,638. The infections follow a gender distribution of 28,835 males and 33,803 females.
Along with 12 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 841 are in home isolation, 71 in institutional isolation, and 10 in institutional quarantine. The data shows that 60,504 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 531,983 swabs were processed.
In analysing new cases, four were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); six in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 12 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 11 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 13 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
There were no new cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Meanwhile, some 429,982 adults or 83.8 per cent have taken the first dose of a COVID vaccine, while 324,175 or 63.2 per cent returned for their second jab.
In the 12 to 17 cohort, 33,294 first doses and 23,914 second doses were administered. This equates to 45.6 per cent and 32.8 per cent, respectively. Booster shots have surpassed 48,000 but a significant percentage of eligible Guyanese are yet to return.
The Government started administering booster shots after studies around the world showed that the efficacy of the vaccines wanes after six months of receiving both doses.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect on February 28, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy