2 more die from COVID-19, 28 new cases recorded in 24h

The Ministry of Health on Sunday reported that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, thus taking the death toll in Guyana to 153.
The latest fatalities are two men, an 81-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 55-year-old from Region One (Barima-Waini). These persons died on Saturday while receiving care at medical facilities.
The deaths of these two men from the virus are the first recorded for the month of December. The last COVID-19 death was recorded on November 29, after a 31-year-old female from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died while receiving care at a medical facility.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also reported on Sunday that 28 new coronavirus cases were detected during a 24-hour timespan.
According to statistics issued by the Ministry, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana has gone up to 5665 comprising 2928 males and 2737 females.
However, only 753 of these cases are currently active. These include four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 749 in isolation, that is, 52 persons in institutional isolation and the other 697 in home isolation. There are also 29 persons in institutional quarantine.
Meanwhile, some 4759 persons have since recovered from the life-threatening virus in Guyana.
To date, a total of 32,011 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana.
Of the 28 new cases recorded on Sunday, eight are from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); one from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); five from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); two from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); five from the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, and six cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The number of cases in Regions One, Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remained the same.

With the COVID-19 outbreak in Guyana continuing to persist into the holiday season, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is warning about a second wave.
According to Dr Anthony, the most important component of Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the actions of citizens.
“If the public do the right thing by masking up and ensuring they wear the mask correctly then that will be very helpful. In addition to that, as we are in the Christmas season, avoid too much of these gatherings because people tend to increase their socialisation during the Christmas holidays. We’re asking people that because this is a very, very different Christmas, avoid crowds, avoid the socialisation…,” he posited during his last COVID-19 update.
According to the Health Minister, if persons cooperate with these and other guidelines in place to curb the spread of the virus then there may not be a spike in cases after the holiday season.
“But if they don’t [cooperate] then we will have to ready ourselves to see increased cases after Christmas. So, we may be starting the new year with many cases and possibly hospitalisation and of course, critically ill patients. So, again I’m urging everyone to help us take precautions and if you do so, we will all be safer,” Dr Anthony asserted.
To this end, all Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until December 31, 2020. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving 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 need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.