…741 active cases being monitored
Two persons from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who had tested positive for COVID-19 are Guyana’s latest fatalities from the virus. This has moved the overall death toll to 1042.
According to the Health Ministry, the two persons are an 87-year-old woman who died on December 21 and a 45-year-old man who died on December 23. They were both unvaccinated.
Statistics have shown that 32 more persons were infected in one day. From the 38,998 total confirmed cases, 18,400 are males and the remaining 20,598 are females. 
There are five persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 33 in institutional isolation, 673 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine. For now, there are 37,245 recovered cases.
Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among seven regions, with two in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), one in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 18 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), eight in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and one in Region 10 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
There were no increases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Of the 741 active cases, 28 are hospitalised. At the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara, 21 persons are being monitored, inclusive of five in the Intensive Care Unit.
There is a spread of 386 active cases in Region Four, 162 in Region Six, 85 in Region Three, and 29 in Region 10.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony cautioned during Thursday’s COVID update that, even with low numbers, the public should be alert in ensuring that all guidelines are followed, to keep them safe. He added that low infections could result in people not coming out to get tested.
“We have to remain vigilant. Though these numbers might seem relatively low, the numbers can be affected by the number of tests that we’re doing in the region; and if we’re not doing a lot of tests in the region, or people are not coming forward to be tested, the numbers would remain artificially low. In some regions, we’re seeing that (happening) because people are not presenting themselves to be tested.”
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (#24), which are in effect until December 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy
