– Death toll now surpasses 1000
The Health Ministry on Saturday reported that another three persons died from COVID-19 complications, thus taking the death toll to over 1000.
The latest deaths are a 54-year-old from Region Three who died on December 3; a 62-year-old from Region One who died on December 4; and an 82-year-old from Region Five who died on November 22. Two of these men were reportedly unvaccinated while the status of the third is unknown.
However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that another 50 positive cases were reported. To date, 17,996 males have contracted the virus and 20,152 females.
Further statistics showed that there are 18 persons in the specialised Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 56 in institutional isolation, 870 in home isolation and eight in institutional quarantine. The number of recoveries now stands at 36,170, while 395,990 persons have been tested to date.
Regionally, there were three new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini); three in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 16 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 18 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
There were no reported new cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Meanwhile, latest vaccination figures suggest that Guyana has seen 736,444 doses of COVID vaccines being administered. For adults, 402,751 doses or 78.5 per cent have taken a first dose; while second doses account for 281,455 or 54.9 per cent.
In terms of children aged 12 to 17, some 29,382 first doses and 20,581 second doses have been distributed. Booster jabs account for 2274 of the total number.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand has since postulated that it is a voluntary process and children should not be denied education or access to school if they aren’t vaccinated.
“From the beginning, we said that the vaccination against COVID-19 of persons in this country would be purely voluntary. We went further and were clear that children would not be denied their education because of a failure of refusal to take the vaccine,” said Manickchand.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
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 physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.
Facilities conducting PCR testing includes Eureka Medical Laboratories, Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital, Coastal Diagnostic Laboratory, Sheriff Medical Center, New Vision Labs and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.
Those offering antigen tests include Eureka Medical Laboratories, Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital, Coastal Diagnostic Laboratory, Sheriff Medical Center, New Vision Labs, Anamayah Memorial Hospital, Biotec Medical Laboratory, Dr Leslie Persaud Clinic, Woodlands Hospital Limited, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Quest Medical Center and Midway Speciality Care Center.
