…19 new cases reported
Statistics have revealed that some 229 fatalities as a result of the novel coronavirus were reported for 2022, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed on Tuesday.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic was reported in Guyana during March 2020, a total of 1248 persons lost their lives after contracting the virus. From 164 deaths in 2020, this number rose to 891 for 2021. This spike was linked to the Delta wave.
In a breakdown of 2022’s deaths, the Health Minister informed that 116 deaths surfaced in January, 48 in February, seven in March, two in April, nine in May, 18 in June, 16 in July, seven in August, three in September, zero in October and three for November.
It was noted that Government is still working to procure Paxlovid vaccines for COVID treatment through UNICEF. When these vaccines become available, Guyana will receive them at a discounted rate.
“We have been working with UNICEF. They have a global agreement with Pfizer and through that agreement, we were hoping to get Paxlovid at a very discounted rate. So far, I don’t think UNICEF has been able to source any of the Paxlovid as yet but we remain optimistic. Once they are able to initiate that process, Guyana will certainly benefit.”
From 206 tests, 19 new cases surfaced within one day. This was reflected in Tuesday’s dashboard. There are 71,603 confirmed cases – 32,824 males and 38,779 females.
Active cases stand at 100 – a reduction due to recoveries. Nine patients are being housed at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, with three persons in the Intensive Care Unit.
Nevertheless, six persons are under institutional isolation with 91 in institutional quarantine. There have been 79,218 recoveries to date.
In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 179 million while the death toll in the Region has gone up to 2.8 million. Globally, there are 627 million confirmed positives with 6.5 million deaths.
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 being encouraged to continue observing the public health measures set out by the Health Ministry. This encourages the need for everyone five years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for everyone to get a COVID-19 booster dose after completing the primary vaccination series; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining a safe distance of six feet from others and; good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. (G12)
