…1065 new cases recorded
In the height of a new wave of the pandemic, another five persons have succumbed to COVID-19 in Guyana, compounded with 1065 new infections as of Saturday.
Guyana’s death toll now stands at 1086. Latest fatalities are a 61-year-old male from Region One who died on January 15; a 48-year-old male from Region Two who died on January 14; a 74-year-old female from Region Two who died on January 13; and a 58-year-old male from Region Four who died on January 9.
Meanwhile, a three-year-old boy also succumbed to the virus on January 9.
The Health Ministry’s dashboard on Saturday showed 1065 new infections in one day, taking confirmed cases to 50,121. This comprises of 22,329 males and 26,792 females.
There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 170 in institutional isolation, 9648 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. Some 39,302 persons have recovered.
From a breakdown, 23 positives were reported in Region One (Barima-Waini), 49 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 115 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 619 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 18 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 49 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 23 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 23 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 26 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 24 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony affirmed during the latest COVID update that a multitude of factors determine the duration of a wave during the pandemic. To this end, he said workplaces should make the environment safe to curtail infections.
“Despite how long it lasts, we have to take precautions. At workplaces, people are getting sick and it is because we haven’t put in place, mechanisms to make our workplaces safe. There are very simple things that can be done. We have to ensure that we enforce the vaccination policy, which I think a lot of workplaces are not doing,” he observed.
This is in conjunction with the administration of booster shots and public responsibility to keep the population safe.
“Unfortunately, the mask has become like a style. People are wearing it under their nose, under their chin and if you wear it like that, it’s not going to have any value. You need to wear it properly and properly means covering your nose and mouth. We’re not seeing that happening in some cases,” he lamented.
In Guyana, over 416,000 adults or 81.3 per cent have taken a first dose while more than 303,000 or 59.1 per cent are completely immunised. For children between the age of 12 to 17, some 22,000 or 30.6 per cent are completely vaccinated. Meanwhile, over 24,000 persons have taken their booster dose.
This week, Guyana received a shipment of 28,800 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, donated by the Government of Spain through the COVAX Facility. The vaccines were handed over to the Minister of Health at the Kingston Bond. Through COVAX, Guyana has benefitted from donations of AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until January 31, 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 needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)
