2 more die from COVID-19, death toll stands at 184

…43 new cases detected from 261 tests

Two more Guyanese have succumbed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 184.
The latest victims are two men – an 83-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 90-year-old from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). They both died on Wednesday while receiving care at a medical facility.
On Tuesday, an 82-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died from the virus. She had succumbed at her home, but a test was done posthumously after the body arrived at a medical facility and a positive result was returned.
New statistics provided by the Ministry show that 43 new cases were detected during a 24-hour period from a total of 261 tests conducted. The total number of positive cases from March 2020 to present stand at 8135. This total comprised 4230 males and 3905 females.
Seven persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 37 persons in institutionalised isolation, 768 in home isolation and 28 in institutional quarantine. A total of 7157 persons have recovered from the virus.
Regionally, two new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 24 in Demerara-Mahaica; four in Mahaica-Berbice; two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and seven in Upper Demerara-Berbice.
The cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 232, 243, and 412 respectively.
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has expressed great satisfaction in the way health workers have responded to the COVID-19 vaccine administration – a process which started on Thursday.
During the COVID-19 update, he explained that senior doctors and officials within the medical institutions have come forward to get their jabs, which is a positive indication for the Ministry. This is just the start as several tranches of vaccines are expected to arrive in Guyana this month and in the first week of March.
“The response has been tremendous and I am extremely pleased that a number of the senior doctors, who understand the importance of this, has also come forward and taken the vaccines…Of course, there are many others who joined the team in coming out, and I think that’s good, because now people understand the importance of vaccines. I just want to assure everyone that we are getting in more vaccines. This is just the start and we are going to get more doses,” Dr Anthony explained.
He said in immunising frontline workers, both private and public sector personnel will benefit. There are also plans for greater collaboration with private medical centres.
“We will be collaborating with the Private Sector so to ensure that we can develop some sites at their facility. I think this is all good. This is all exciting news…This will mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic in Guyana,” Dr Anthony said.
The Health Ministry continues to urge all Guyanese to observe the curfew and protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2021. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask, the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Persons displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or in need of any additional information are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.