28 new COVID-19 positives reported in 24h

The Health Ministry recorded 28 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) over a 24-hour period, thus bringing the total positive cases to 5338.
To date, the data shows that of the 5338, 2761 are males and 2577 are females. The death toll remains at 149.
Based on statistics reported, three persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 87 in institutional isolation, 782 in home isolation and 41 in institutional quarantine. There have been 4317 recoveries – 65 of which were recorded in one day.
A breakdown of the new cases showed that one was recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara); seven in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); five in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 14 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remains at 123, 40, 208, 180 and 379 respectively.
As of Friday, Siparuta village in Region Six imposed a two-week lockdown as a result of new cases in the community.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said during the last update that Orealla village also imposed restrictions on the movement of people to prevent further transmission. This was not a decision of the National COVID-19 Task Force, but one that was taken by the Village Council.
“We did not advise them that they need to do a lockdown; they did that on their own and they have that right as a Village Council to make those decisions. On their own, they decided that they want to have a restriction of movements and they have imposed that,” the Minister was quoted as saying.
He stated that self-isolation will prevent a surge in cases, as well as assistance from the medical teams. As of present, the community is under close monitoring.
“We have a medical presence in those communities as well, and if we see any patient that moves from an asymptomatic case to a symptomatic, then we will be monitoring them more closely.  And, if there is a need, then we will bring them out to one of our hospital facilities where they can get additional care if that is required. So, we have a system that is set up.”
This past week, it was announced that capacity and infrastructure to manage the coronavirus pandemic locally will be enhanced, after grants were issued to Guyana by the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank to the tune of US$22 million and US$7.5 million respectively. These funds will be used to enhance the country’s response to COVID-19. This includes resources, monitoring, evaluation and developing laboratory units across the country.
AstraZeneca also revealed that its COVID-19 vaccine is around 90 per cent effective, cheaper to produce and there are no issues with distribution. Moreover, 700 million doses could be produced in the first quarter of 2021.
This comes after Pfizer and Moderna would have achieved 95 per cent effectiveness in the clinical trials of their vaccines. They have applied for emergency authorisation use from the US Food and Drug Administration, and this permission can give the greenlight for December production.