2 more COVID-19 deaths recorded

…80% Guyanese vaccinated with at least 1st dose

The Health Ministry announced on Friday that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. The total number of deaths from the pandemic has moved to 1190.
The latest fatalities are a 25-year-old woman from Region Three and an 84-year-old man from Region Four – both of whom died on February 10. The female was unvaccinated while the other person was fully vaccinated.
The daily dashboard showed an increase of 95 cases, resulting in 62,156 total infections to date. Some 28,641 males contracted the virus along with 33,641 females.
There are 15 persons in the specialised Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 84 in institutional isolation, 1937 in home isolation and 20 in institutional quarantine. Recoveries now stands at 58,930, while 523,041 tests have been conducted.
Regionally, there were four new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 50 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and 28 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
No increase was reported in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Vaccination
Friday marked one year since Guyana commenced its immunisation campaign against COVID-19, commencing with adults and later introducing jabs for adolescents.
The country has managed to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of Guyanese with at least the first dose with jabs that were either procured by Government or donated through countries and COVAX.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony commented on this milestone during the COCVID update, stating, “I think we’ve done very well so far. We’re one of the countries in the Caribbean that would have vaccinated a substantial portion of its population. Over the last year, we would have been able to administer 850,735 doses, which works out to about 2330 vaccines per day. I think that’s a really good record.”
Thus far, 345,000 persons aged 12 years and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that almost 45 per cent of the entire Guyanese population are now fully vaccinated and more than 62 per cent of the population 18 years and older are fully vaccinated. More than 45,000 Guyanese have taken had a booster shot.
Vaccination numbers indicate that over 83 per cent of the adult population have received a first COVID-19 dose while over 62 per cent have returned for their second jab.

A further first dose breakdown showed 83.1 per cent coverage for the above 60 age group, 82.8 per cent for 40 to 59 years, 80.8 per cent for 18 to 39 years and 45.3 per cent for 12 to 17 years.
In a statement, Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy also expressed, “These are impressive numbers and some of the persons who have not been registered as receiving any vaccine might have had their vaccines done overseas also. At this first year point, gratitude must also be expressed to the Guyanese people who have overwhelmingly responded to the COVID-19 vaccination programme. While there is disappointment that a full 15 per cent of the population have remained hesitant, we must continue to work with this sub-population to ensure that all eligible Guyanese are fully vaccinated with booster shots”.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect 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 (G12)