22nd COVID-19 death confirmed as cases jump to 497

…active cases stand at 289

Guyana has recorded yet another death from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – its 22nd fatality just two days after the last one was announced.
Norbert Grant, 79, of Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara succumbed earlier on Tuesday, after battling with the virus at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, in providing an update on the situation, also informed that there have been an additional 23 new cases of COVID-19, which originated from three different regions.
This brings the total number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Guyana to 497. The new positives show that eight originated from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 11 from Aranaputa and Annai in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and four from Kanapang, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
In the daily update, the CMO acknowledged the rise in deaths to 22, following the demise of a Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara pensioner.
The total number of tests done is 6236 and the number of persons tested is 4975. Meanwhile, there are 289 active cases in institutional isolation – 38 of which are in institutional quarantine and two patients in the COVID-ICU. To date, 186 persons have recovered.
While stating that cases continue to climb in the hotspot areas of Regions Seven and Nine, the Public Health Ministry would have detected 96 cases in four days – a scenario which does not paint “a very bright picture”.
“I wish to remind you that the coronavirus is not selective or exclusive; it’s all around us, in and out of our country; Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname; so everyone, everywhere, in all the ten administrative regions needs to make that special effort to continue playing a part in spreading the message about COVID-19,” the CMO added.
The senior health officer shared the view that there should be no complacency and a laissez-faire attitude coming from the population. According to him, misconceptions about COVID-19 persist – including that the disease does not exist, that wearing a mask causes the disease and even suggestions that testing brings about the disease.
“We need to dispel these myths if we are going to break the back of the camel; not only in regions Seven and Nine, but in every community. This is the only way that we can be supportive of the selfless efforts of the health workers on the frontline who are risking their lives to prevent the further transmission of the raging coronavirus disease.”
On a more widespread level, those persons experiencing symptoms were encouraged to come forward and take advantage of testing facilities. This plea was specifically generated to the younger generation.
“I wish to make a special plea to our younger persons not to delay but seek medical assistance at the earliest. Fellow Guyanese, our irresponsible actions impinge greatly on our health workers whom we need to protect at all costs,” Dr Persaud emphasised.
According to the World Health Organisation, the total number of cases has increased to 17,918,582 with 686,703 deaths; in the region of the Americas, the total number of cases is now 9,630,598 with 363,162 deaths.