…78 new cases, 10 in ICU
Two elderly men from Region One (Barima- Waini) are Guyana’s most recently announced COVID-19 fatalities, as the country records 1215 deaths in total.
The men, aged 80 and 86, died on February 11 and February 20, respectively. Only one of them was fully vaccinated.
Within one day, 78 persons tested positive for the virus. From the 62,746 total confirmed cases, 28,893 are males and the remaining 33,853 are females.
There are 10 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 63 in institutional isolation, 752 in home isolation and eight in institutional quarantine. For now, recovered cases have reached 60,706 from the total infections recorded locally.
Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among seven regions, with eight in Region One, five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 37 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), four in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 17 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)
Cases in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) did not increase.
Among the adult population, first dose vaccination coverage has moved to 430,877 or 84 per cent while second doses are at 325,696 or 63.5 per cent. For the adolescent group, 33,411 first doses and 24,058 second doses, equivalent to 45 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively, were administered. Booster doses have taken a slow increase to 49,068 doses.
From March, the Health Ministry will collaborate with the Education Ministry in a bid to boost immunisation among the 12 to 17 age category. This initiative will be rolled out across schools.
Given the Mashramani celebration today, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has underscored, “I want to encourage everyone to make sure that they abide by the COVID guidelines, keep social distance, continue to wear a mask and if you’re not vaccinated as yet, make sure you get your vaccination. The pandemic is not over and unless each one of us take these precautions, we can easily have a surge in cases.”
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining the six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene.
Persons with comorbidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
Comorbid conditions can range from cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, HIV, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell anaemia, tuberculosis, solid organ transplant patients, smokers or those with substance use disorder.
Globally, 423 million people have been infected, with over 5.87 million reported deaths. In the Americas, cases have surpassed 145 million with more than 2.6 million deaths. (G12)
