2 more unvaccinated men die from COVID

– death toll now 1016; 53 new cases recorded

The Health Ministry has reported that two more unvaccinated men who had tested positive for the deadly virus have succumbed, thus taking the death toll since onset of the pandemic to 1016.
A 45-year-old died on December 9, and an 84-year-old died on December 10. They were both from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
New statistics provided by the Health Ministry have shown that 53 new infections have been detected in the past 24 hours. The total confirmed cases now stand at 38,453, of which 18,125 are males and 20,328 are females.
The data further showed that 31 persons are in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 743 are in home isolation; 46 are in institutional isolation, and four are in institutional quarantine.
The statistics have further shown that 36,634 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus.
Of the new infections, 20 were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 15 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 17 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). There has been no new case in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said that 435,085 first doses of an anti-COVID vaccine have been administered across the country. This accounts for 56.3 per cent of the population.
“We are doing quite well in terms of our general population. We have to remember that persons who neonate to 11 years of age cannot access a vaccine because we don’t have vaccines being available for neonates to five years of age; and for the five-to-11 years of age, we’re working to get those vaccines,” he stressed. Overall, second dose coverage is pegged at 39.6 per cent.
The World Health Organization has set a target that, by the end of December, at least 40 per cent of the country’s population must be vaccinated.
“If we work hard enough, we would be able to complete that 40 per cent coverage by the end of December. I think we’re in a good position relative to some countries in the world,” Dr Anthony has said.
Guyana has initiated a multifaceted approach to sourcing vaccines, whether through State purchases, the COVAX mechanism, donors or bilateral arrangements.
“We have been able to have, so far, an adequate amount of vaccines made available to us… We’re working directly with COVAX, so we are expecting additional vaccines through the COVAX mechanism. We have, from time to time, been getting offers through some bilateral arrangements for vaccines. I expect those to continue in the near future, and we are going to continue to work with the Government of the United States to get some more vaccines,” the Minister has divulged.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs additional information, they are invited to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480, or 624-6674 immediately, or visit www.health.gov.gy.