2 more COVID-19 deaths, 149 new cases recorded

…PSC urges population to get vaccinated

With two more COVID-19 fatalities, Guyana’s death toll has risen to a startling 419. The deaths for June have also climbed to 21.
The Health Ministry announced the deaths as two males from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica): a 58-year-old and a 42-year-old. They both died while receiving care at a medical facility.
From 1135 swabs that were taken for analysis, 149 persons tested positive for COVID-19. Now the total number of confirmed cases is at 18,088, of which 8903 are males and 9185 are females.
A whopping 20 persons are still seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, and 101 persons are in institutional isolation, 1506 are in home isolation, and one is in institutional quarantine. There are 1627 active cases in the country.
Meanwhile, a dispersion of new cases showed one in Region One (Barima-Waini), 26 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 44 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 26 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 37 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and six in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Positive cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remain at 493 and 370 respectively.
On Thursday, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) shared its concerns over the continuous rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. It said the situation is endangering lives and threatening the economic welfare of all citizens.
With more than 210,000 persons having been administered the first dose of the vaccine, the Commission has thrown its support behind the Government’s efforts to have every adult vaccinated, and is encouraging citizens to take their shots.
“While vaccination is not mandatory in Guyana, it is a critically important public health measure in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is therefore imperative for every citizen eighteen years and over to be vaccinated. It is vital that employers continue to educate their employees on the need to be vaccinated. The Ministry of Health is ready to provide full support to employers who may require assistance in providing information to their employees and in arranging for their vaccination,” the Private Sector body has posited in a statement.
The PSC has also called out deliberate misrepresentation and myths targeted at the vaccination rollout in the form of conspiracy theories, stressing that there has been no adverse effect caused by the injections in the 43 per cent of Guyana’s population which took the first dose.
“The Private Sector Commission continues to work closely with the Government, health authorities and other stakeholders to assist in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on lives and businesses. In addition, the PSC and its member organisations have all contributed to several outreaches across Guyana. We commend the Ministry of Health for its exemplary dedication and aggressive approach towards immunisation and the achievement of herd immunity. The Private Sector Commission intends to continue to advocate for the best interest of all stakeholders, businesses and people of our country,” the missive concluded.
While the vaccination rate has been progressing in each region, the Health Ministry has identified the issue of vaccine hesitancy in Region 10 – the zone with the lowest uptake.