3 more die from COVID, death toll now 489

…79 new cases recorded in 24 hours

The Health Ministry on Friday reported that three more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, taking the country’s death toll to 489.
The latest fatalities are a 36-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), who died on July 9, as well as a 75-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who died on July 7.
On Thursday, a 47-year-old from Region Four and a 68-year-old from Region Six succumbed to the disease.
The Health Ministry said that the patients were admitted with COVID-19 symptoms but died while receiving care at a medical institution. Samples were reportedly taken at the time of admission and those subsequently returned positive results. For the month of June, there have been 13 reported deaths from the virus.
Cases of the virus on Friday increased by 79, raising the number of confirmed positives in Guyana to 20, 834.
There are 11 patients undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 87 in institutional isolation, 1336 in home isolation and 10 in institutional quarantine. In total, 18 ,911 persons recovered completely. Since the local COVID-19 outbreak started, 198,761 individuals have been tested – of which 10,175 males and 10,659 females were positive.
An analysis showed seven new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 24 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 28 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); six in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); three in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and six in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remain at 380 after no new positives were detected.
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday reminded that: “Most people would get COVID by breathing in the virus so if there’s somebody who is exposed to someone who is infected and they don’t have on a mask, they would breathe in the virus. The virus would then get into your lung and then circulate to the rest of the body.”
He also dispelled a common myth that is circulating that consuming alcohol had some standing as a protective measure against the virus.
“Alcohol doesn’t prevent the virus. It doesn’t reduce viral burden. None of those things. So, definitely whoever is peddling this is peddling a myth,” he asserted.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise: the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.