3 more COVID-19 deaths recorded

…7 in ICU, 95 new cases

Three more persons who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died while being monitored for recovery from the disease, thereby hiking the death toll to 1,199.
The deaths include two persons who died on February 14: a 55-year-old female from Region Three, and a 54-year-old male from Region Four. The third fatality is a 69-year-old male from Region Six, who died on February 12.
A whopping 95 new cases have surfaced, according to the Health Ministry’s dashboard for Tuesday, with the total confirmed cases in the country reaching 62,360.
The infections follow a gender distribution of 28,716 males and 33,644 females. Along with seven patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 1289 are in home isolation, 83 are in institutional isolation, and 30 are in institutional quarantine.
The data shows that 59,782 patients have recovered from this life-threatening virus, while 526,616 swabs were processed.
In analysing new cases, statistics indicate that 19 infections surfaced in Region One (Barima-Waini); eight in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); five in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 25 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 20 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 18 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 10 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Procurement of additional equipment to monitor and treat COVID-19 patients is expected to boost the capacity of regional hospitals across the country, adding to the health Ministry’s response system.
This is according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during Monday’s COVID-19 update. A grant made available to Guyana through the Global Fund has been utilised to enhance regional care. Along with beds, ventilators and accompanying equipment will be installed by the end of February.
“We have set up sections in these hospitals, giving them ventilators and ICU beds. By the end of this month, we’re moving a step further, because we have been able to work with the Global Fund, with a special COVID-19 grant that they have given us. Several pieces of equipment that we would have bought would have included more ventilators, ICU beds, and monitors,” he explained.
He also indicated, “These would be coming in by the end of the month, and would be distributed to each of the hospitals so that we can enhance the capacity to monitor patients in these regional hospitals. In addition to what they already have, each regional hospital would get an additional three ventilators, ICU beds, and monitors to enhance capacity.”
Last July, it was revealed that US$1.8 million in support would be provided from the Global Fund, but it would take a few months before the sum is released.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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 us at www.health.gov.gy (G12)