3 more deaths, 49 new COVID-19 cases confirmed

The death toll for COVID-19 in Guyana has risen with three more deaths recorded, bringing the total to 55.
The three new deaths are Viber Gomes, 62, Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Jacob George, 67, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) and a 70 -year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). According to the Health Ministry all of the persons died while receiving medical care at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The statistics were published on the Health Ministry’s daily dashboard. The last death was reported on Friday after one person died. It followed Thursday’s figures which showed three persons dying from complications caused by the novel coronavirus.
With increased testing, 49 new cases were detected as of Thursday, raising the total confirmed cases recorded in Guyana to 1812. Within the course of seven days, the country experienced an increase of 344 positive cases.
The number of persons in the designated Intensive Care Unit is 13 after two patients were transferred. The number of persons on home isolation increased by four, to 508. Some 48 persons are in institutional isolation and 86 in institutional quarantine. From the confirmed cases, 1191 persons have recovered – an increase of 47.
Meanwhile, the data also showed a gender breakdown of 897 males and 915 females being infected since the first case was detected.
A regional breakdown of the new cases showed that four were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), two in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 30 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 13 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The other regional figures remain the same, with 12 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 26 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 26 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 82 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
On Friday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted that as the number of COVID-19 cases increases, the number of healthcare providers involved in managing the crisis is increasing.
“Our healthcare and essential workers who put their lives on the line every day to care for and treat COVID-19 patients are faced with challenges of stigma and discrimination. Many of our healthcare workers have been denied entry to public transportation and the community due to the perception that they may be infected and could transmit the virus to others. This puts them at higher risk of developing psychological problems,” he claimed.
Government has also embarked on significantly increased testing to ensure that all positives are detected. The Department of Public Information on Wednesday informed that authorities are examining the possibility of sending COVID-19 samples from Region Nine to Brazil for testing.
“We have been exploring with the Government of Brazil, and in particular the State of Roraima to be able to send our samples from Region Nine, across to Brazil for them to process them for us,” the Health Minister was quoted as saying.
Dr Anthony said Government is hoping to finalise these arrangements in a meeting with the Brazilian authorities that is set for Friday. These efforts will clear the existing backlog that resulted from increased testing.
Already, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has assisted to test a few hundred samples. Out of the 500 samples that were sent to CARPHA, over 400 have returned, and an additional 138 were sent last Monday. (G12)