3 unvaccinated men latest COVID-19 deaths

Three men who had contracted COVID-19 and were unvaccinated against the virus are the latest deaths reported by the Health Ministry. This takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 1,179.
On February 3, a 61-year-old from Region Three and an 82-year-old from Region Four died. This was followed on February 4 by the death of a 71-year-old, also from Region Four.
Infections show that 432 new positives were reported within one day, according to the Ministry’s dashboard, and the total confirmed cases in the country was increased to 61,108.
There are 14 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 138 in home isolation, 5537 in institutional isolation, and 18 in institutional quarantine. The data shows that 54,240 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus, while 514,429 tests were conducted.
A breakdown of cases shows 21 positives in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 38 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 196 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 12 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 64 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), five in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 97 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Active cases have dropped 5,806, after surpassing 13,000 last week.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony informed on Friday that this is linked to the Omicron variant’s shorter infection interval, which enables an earlier discharge of recovered patients. He predicts that in the coming days, this number would decline further.
“The reason for this is: while we maintain testing, we’re not seeing many people coming back positive. That’s a good thing. Omicron has a shorter duration of illness; so, on average, people would remain symptomatic for maybe four to five days, and then on the seventh day most people would be negative.”
Nevertheless, 110 persons are hospitalised, including 75 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital and 14 in the Intensive Care Unit.
Before this decline, the Ministry had selected samples to be sent for genomic sequencing in order to determine the variants circulating in Guyana, and particularly, if the Omicron variant is present. Amid some challenges, the Minister has said the samples are yet to be sent.
“There are certain arrangements that need to be made. I think that is what has delayed the samples from going. We have taken a decision. We will be sending to two different centres, so some samples will go to the Pan American Health Organization in Panama and the other set of samples will go to CARPHA in Trinidad. Once that is done, I’m sure it would confirm that we have Omicron in Guyana.”
Under a malaria project, Guyana has received a gene sequencing machine, and local health workers are being trained to conduct the sequencing. Since the same technique can be used for COVID-19, the Minister said Guyana can build this capacity in the coming months.
Dr Anthony has detailed: “We have brought in the machine to do gene sequencing in Guyana. we have set up that machine at the National Public Health Reference Lab, and we are working collaboratively with Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.”
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
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 the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene.
Globally, 376 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, and over 5.6 million deaths have been reported. In the Americas, cases have surpassed 135 million, with 2.5 million deaths. (G12)