3 deaths, 74 new COVID-19 cases recorded

…Johnson and Johnson vaccines expected next month

The Health Ministry has announced that three more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. That is in addition to 74 new cases of the virus being recorded.
The latest victims have been identified as a 34-year-old man from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and two women – aged 66 and 70 – from Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara).
The patients had been admitted with COVID-19 symptoms, and died while receiving care at various medical institutions. The samples taken at the time of their admission subsequently returned positive tests.
The death toll from the virus now stands at 518, with 48 deaths in the month of July. The total number of deaths from the COVID-19 virus in the month of June was 78. May has been the month with the most deaths from the pandemic, with 99 COVID-19 fatalities, surpassing April’s death toll of 66.
Based on the Ministry’s daily dashboard, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Guyana is now 21,807, with 20,084 recoveries. This means that there are currently 1,205 active cases. Of those active cases, 17 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 93 are in institutional isolation, 1095 are in home isolation, and two are in institutional quarantine.
A breakdown of the cases by gender shows that, to date, 10,635 males have been infected while 11,172 females have contracted the virus.
The Health Ministry has reported that the cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazauni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have remained the same at 1276, 380 and 1850 respectively.
Of the 74 new cases, Region One (Barima-Waini) has recorded one new case; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) 17; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) 15; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) 16; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) 1; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) 23; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) one.
Persons are encouraged to get immunized, since the COVID-19 vaccine gives full protection against death. In fact, health authorities have disclosed that no one who is fully vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine has been hospitalised or has died from the virus.
As more people continue to get vaccinated, authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly wearing a mask in public, practising social distancing, and frequently washing hands and sanitising.
A national curfew that is in effect until July 31, 2021 comes into force daily during the period 22:30h (10:30pm) and 04:00h (4am).

Johnson and Johnson vaccines
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has announced that a consignment of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines is expected to arrive in Guyana next month.
“We have already paid to the African Union to source some Johnson and Johnson vaccines, so those will be coming in August,” he revealed during today’s COVID-19 update.
The Guyana Government has made a downpayment for the acquisition of 150,000 single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccines under a partnership agreement between the African Union and the Caribbean Community.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had revealed that US$36,000 has been paid as a down payment to the African Union, through which the vaccines are being sourced. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has an efficacy of 66.3%.
Currently, first and second doses of the AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines are available in the country.
Regarding the Sputnik V vaccine, only first doses are available.
“We’re working to make sure the second doses would be available again quite soon,” the Health Minister has assured.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 IMMEDIATELY, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.