4 more die from COVID-19, death toll now stands at 239

…94 new cases recorded in 24 hours

The Health Minister has reported that four more persons died from COVID-19, thus taking the death toll to 239.
On Friday, the Ministry stated that a 45-year-old female from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and a 26-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. On Saturday, a 28-year-old from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and one 81-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) succumbed.
However, new statistics provided by the Ministry on Saturday showed that 94 new cases were detected, bringing the total number of positives to 10,540 – 5380 males and 5160 females.
The stats indicated that 13 persons remain in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 999 in home isolation and 77 in institutional isolation. Another 10 persons are also in institutional quarantine. The data further showed that 9215 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 92,537 have been tested.
Of the 94 new cases, 21 of them were detected in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 43 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica); two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 12 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 10 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The cases remain at 1028 in Region One (Barima-Waini), 263 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 242 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 441 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Meanwhile, as the Easter holiday dawns upon us, the National COVID-19 Task Force has enforced guidelines for the weekend along with warnings about having activities in public places.
In a statement, the secretariat indicated that the measures are in place from April 2 to April 4. Easter activities at parks, creeks, lakes, beaches and resorts are prohibited.
Nevertheless, non-religious celebrations in the form of “shows, parties, limes and wet fetes” are also forbidden. Events held at churches inclusive of mass, services and cultural programmes are to operate at 40 per cent capacity.
“Churches are encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces, where available. Persons are encouraged to observe Easter activities within their home circles. The traditional public restrictions in observance of Good Friday must be adhered to,” the Task Force noted.
These guidelines emerged as a result of health and security concerns, and are intended to allow for limited participation in Easter activities to curtail COVID-19 infections. The Joint Services have already planned COVI-CURB patrols nationwide to enforce these guidelines.
Apart from these specific measures, the national COVID-19 Emergency Measures are also in place, warranting full compliance. The national curfew remains in place from 22:30h to 04:00h (04:00 am to 10:30 pm) for the month of April.