…Guyana sources monoclonal antibodies to treat patients
Two elderly men from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), both of whom were unvaccinated against COVID-19, have died. This has taken Guyana’s death toll from the virus to 1,278. The two males who have died were aged 71 and 88. They succumbed on August 16 and August 13 respectively.
Meanwhile, 41 new coronavirus infections have been reported on Thursday, of which 70,744 confirmed cases are now in the country. From the dashboard, 15 persons are in institutional isolation, 438 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine. 
Additionally, 69,011 persons have recovered, while 684,235 tests have been processed to date. The Health Ministry has 457 active cases under surveillance, of which 14 persons are hospitalised. Two patients are in the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony informed during Thursday’s COVID-19 update that Guyana has been using Baricitinib and Remdesivir to treat positive patients. Government has been seeking to source monoclonal antibodies through the Pan American Health Organization.
“We have been working to acquire monoclonal antibodies because this would help patients to boost their antibodies’ level, and we have placed an order with PAHO to acquire monoclonal antibodies. Once that becomes available through PAHO, it would be available to our patients. A lot of it has to do with what symptoms they’re having. Once we know that, then we’ll treat accordingly,” the Health Minister revealed.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses. They are specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’s attachment and entry into human cells.
He expressed that it would make a difference if people got their vaccines and booster doses. Many persons who should be taking their shots are not showing up, he added.
“It would really help if persons get vaccinated, because many of the persons who came into the hospitals, especially in the early days when vaccines where available, they were not vaccinated. We continue to see that trend, where persons who are unvaccinated or persons whose boosters are due, and they have all kinds of comorbidities, they are the ones coming into the hospital,” he shared.
Vaccination
Latest vaccination numbers show that, so far, 445,650 or 86.9 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while 345,342 or 67.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.
For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, 35,523 or 48.7 per cent have received a first dose. Second doses stand at 26,028 or 35.7 per cent. Vaccines are also available for children within five to 11 years, whereby 7,581 persons or 7.4 per cent have taken a first dose.
Additionally, 2,730 or 2.7 per cent have received a second jab.
Meanwhile, in excess of 72,000 persons have returned for their first booster dose.
In the Region of the Americas, that is: Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 172 million, while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2.7 million.
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 Hotlines: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately, or visit www.health.gov.gy.
