…CMO says false information given to health officials by repatriated Guyanese
Guyana has recorded three new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total number of the novel coronavirus cases up to 209.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud
This was revealed by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud during the Public Health Ministry’s daily update on Wednesday.
According to Dr Persaud, a total of 78 tests were done in the last 24 hours, and three of those tests returned positive. This brings the total number of persons tested for COVID-19 to date at 2,246, of which some 2,037 were negative.
Meanwhile, the death toll remains at 12. Currently, there are 90 active cases in institutional isolation and another 16 persons in institutional quarantine.
There is presently one patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), while the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease to date is 107.
As Guyanese authorities continue to grapple with containing the coronavirus outbreak in Guyana, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has announced a phased reopening of Guyana’s airspace, which had been closed since March 19.
In fact, several repatriation flights have already been operated to bring home scores of Guyanese who were stranded in various countries in the Caribbean region and internationally as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, while those persons who have returned are mandated to self-quarantine for one week, and leave home only for emergency, the CMO on Wednesday put many of them on blast for their non-cooperation.
“This irresponsible and selfish act is putting your life and the lives of our citizens at risk, and placing undue pressure on our health workers and health system… It is disappointing to learn that when health officials try to follow up with you, either you are not at home, or they are unable to contact you because the information you provided is inaccurate and you are not at the stipulated location. You are deliberately defying the terms of your repatriation and making it difficult for those who are still waiting to repatriate,” Dr Persaud stated.
The CMO reminded those repatriated persons that the systems put in place are to ensure their protection. He added that arriving with a negative PCR test – another one of the repatriation conditions – does not prevent them from contracting COVID-19, especially while travelling back home.
“…remember you are still at risk, hence the reason we want to check on you to ensure that you are not experiencing any signs or symptoms. I take this opportunity to remind you that the safety of your fellow Guyanese is dependent on your staying home until your quarantine period is completed, and that your adherence to these guidelines makes the return of your fellow nationals possible,” he stated.
Two more repatriation flights are expected from the US next week via Eastern Airlines. One is from Miami on Wednesday, July 1, and the other, the following day, is coming from New York.
The first repatriation flight from the US landed at the CJIA earlier this month with a total of 109 persons.
Only last week, there were two more repatriation flight from the US to bring home Guyanese. In the meantime, there have also been similar relief flights from Trinidad and Barbados via Caribbean Airlines.
More such flights are expected over the coming weeks. As such, the National COVID-19 Task Force is urging Guyanese stranded overseas, if they have not yet done so, to contact their nearest diplomatic mission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly. Contact details are listed on the Ministry’s website along with the Repatriation Form: www.minfor.gov.gy
Meanwhile, as the country’s airspace reopens, Guyana’s borders with Brazil and Suriname remain closed, and no entry will be permitted to persons from these two countries until further notice.
Guyana’s porous borders have been a cause for concern, especially Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) which borders Brazil.
The neighbouring Portuguese-speaking nation is being devastated by the pandemic, with over one million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 53,000 deaths – the second country globally to pass the 50,000-fatality mark.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Region of the Americas has recorded over 4.5 million cases, with more than 226,000 deaths.
Globally, the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 9 million, while the deaths are currently pegged at over 473,000.
