2 more die from COVID, death toll now stands at 291

…25% adult population vaccinated – Dr Anthony

The Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that two more persons died from COVID-19, thus taking the total death toll to 291. With at least two days remaining in the month, 58 deaths were already recorded, making it the deadliest month since the virus was detected in March 2020.
The latest fatalities as two males; a 48-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 57-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). They both died while receiving care at a medical facility.
Along with the two new fatalities, a total of 72 new cases were detected in one day, taking the total confirmed positives to 12,826. The number of persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is 14 with 76 persons in institutional isolation, 1501 in home isolation and 15 in institutional quarantine. Recoveries stand at 10,944.
To date, 6492 males have contracted the virus as opposed to 6334 females.
A regional breakdown of the new cases showed that three were reported in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); eight in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 56 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Other regions did not witness an increase in cases – which stood at 374 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 1020 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 254 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 519 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Meanwhile, a higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the country has resulted in 25 per cent of the adult population taking their first doses in a matter of weeks. This translates to about 124,000 individuals.
This was revealed by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday, who stated that since the age eligibility was lowered to 18 years and above, many persons have taken the opportunity to get inoculated.

With 25 per cent of the adult population taking their first of two shots, health authorities are aiming to reach closer to the 50 per cent mark by this weekend. The Minister had previously said that approximately 500,000 persons are qualified to take the vaccine, since it is not available for children.
“About 25 per cent of our adult population has been covered with first dose of vaccination but we want that to even be better. So, we’re hoping that we can get more people coming out so that by the end of the week, probably be closer to 50 per cent of our population. So, we continue to work and we encourage all age groups to really come out and get their vaccines,” the Minister added.
Special emphasis was placed on the older population taking their vaccines, as the mortality statistics point to more deaths for this subset of people.
“Based on our mortality statistics, we have seen the majority of people who died so far have been older persons and we know this vaccine, once you take it, it protects you from dying from COVID and that’s why we’re encouraging older people, especially to come out and get their vaccine. But we want everybody, those who are 18 years and above, to really come out and get the vaccine.”
There are over 100 fixed sites around the country that offer vaccines, along with mobile units that visit various locations. Dr Anthony said working hours have been extended in some instances to cater for the working group.
He further stated, “In some areas, our health staff has extended the hours of work so rather than closing off at three o’clock, they have extended that to six o’clock so more people that are coming off from work would be able to get access to those vaccination sites. In addition to that, what we have done is apart from fixed sites, if there are NGOs or a faith-based organisation that wants to work with us and do special outreaches, we have worked with a number of them.”