…21 new cases recorded
The Health Ministry on Monday informed that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) succumbed while receiving treatment. This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 166.
The latest fatalities are two males – a 70-year-old from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and an 85-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Prior to this announcement on Monday, the previous deaths were reported on December 22 – an 88-year-old man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 68-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
In the latest dashboard, 21 new coronavirus cases were reported from seven administrative regions. This brings the total confirmed cases to 6379.
A breakdown showed that three new cases were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini), seven in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), five in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 342, 199 and 396 respectively.
Four persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), nine in institutional isolation, 264 on home isolation and 22 in institutional quarantine. There are 277 active cases in Guyana, while 5936 patients have recovered.
To date, 38,995 persons have been tested, of which 3294 males and 3085 females were infected.
Spike expected
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared on Monday that they are expecting a spike in cases of the coronavirus, following the Christmas season activities when many persons would have failed to adhere to the national measures.
“We are expecting a spike because, over the holiday, you would have seen people socialising, not adhering to the guidelines. That was unfortunate so we are going to expect that a lot of people might have been exposed and therefore, a large per cent of them would come to the health system.”
In light of this, he said increased testing is planned along with the preparation of hospitals for an increased number of positive patients. The latter so that if hospitalisation proves necessary, it is available.
“The incubation period for SARS-COV-2 is approximately 14 days. Therefore, any time between the point of exposure to this 14-day period, you will see people start manifesting signs and symptoms. So, we have to be on the alert. The doctors and medical personnel have been looking at this. While we are planning for a surge, we hope we don’t have one because if we have too many people coming into the health system, it can easily overwhelm the system,” the Minister explained.
On the aspect of vaccines, he ascertained, “Once a vaccine has been approved by the WHO (World Health Organisation), then we would accept that approval because it meant that the vaccine would have undergone a rigorous set of evaluation.”
The Ministry has reminded the public of the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; maintaining the six feet physical distance from others and good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy. (G12)
