33 new COVID-19 cases recorded

As testing increases

…PAHO/WHO Rep assures of integrity of tests done in Guyana

As the Health Ministry continues with increased testing across the country, another 33 new COVID-19 cases have been detected in 24 hours.
This now brings the total number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Guyana up to 1,093, with 542 being males and the remaining 551 females, according to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 Dashboard on Wednesday.
Of the total cases, 528 are currently active cases – nine persons in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) and the other 519 in isolation; that is, 95 persons in institutional isolation and 424 persons in-home isolation.
Additionally, there are also 71 persons in institutional quarantine.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death toll remains at 31. On the other hand, the number of persons who have recovered from the deadly disease has gone up to 534 – an increase of 11 recoveries from the previous day’s figures.
Of the 33 new cases recorded on Wednesday, there were increases in Region One (Barima-Waini); Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
With the exception of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which saw a reduction in COVID-19 cases, the figures in the other three regions – Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo) – all remain the same.
According to the Health Ministry, to date, the number of persons tested for the coronavirus in Guyana has exceeded seven thousand.
Since taking office earlier this month, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has embarked on a mass testing campaign in all 10 regions of Guyana, and has said that hundreds of positive COVID-19 cases have gone undetected over the past months, given the limited number of tests conducted.
There has been circulating of recent an allegation that the COVID-19 test kits that Guyana has procured are contaminated, but the Health Ministry has already debunked this allegation.

Test kits
Adding its voice now to dispel the rumours, the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has, through its Representative to Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow, assured
that the test kits have met all the necessary standards before being dispatched to countries for use.
“I can assure the public that the tests being done in Guyana are secure, safe, and quality-assured; so, if you get a positive, it’s a true positive… All the testing kits that we have (had) to go through a quality assurance first, then go through PAHO, and then it comes here monitored, temperature-sensitive monitored. So, by the time we get them, we know they are in good stead,” he explained in a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI).
According to Dr Adu-Krow, “To the best of my knowledge, the kits that were graciously given by the Government of China came to us about 6-8 weeks ago. Those were used, and we did not have any problems. Now, there is someone suddenly saying we are getting increases because of that; that is a lie.”
In fact, in order to ensure the accuracy of test results, PAHO/WHO has advised the Government that in every 50 tests, the 50th sample be sent to a laboratory outside of Guyana to be re-processed. This is to verify the initial result produced locally, and ensure there is a match.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adu-Krow addressed the notion some persons may have: that being re-tested at private health institutions would produce a different result.
He said, in the DPI report, that the testing provided by the Government is a PCR test; which is a molecular test with about 99 percent accurate.
“If you go and test at a private institution, with an antibody-antigen test they may use, it is not as sensitive as a PCR test; and that is why the Government is sticking to PCR. That is also why WHO has not pre-approved any of the antibody-antigen tests as yet,” he explained.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has repeatedly urged persons to go out and get tested, and not let the rumours circulating become a deterrent. Since widespread testing has been increased, the number of positive cases being identified is a true reflection of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
As such, steps are being taken now to enhance the country’s capacity to deal with the spiking number of COVID-19 cases.

Safeguarding the nation
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, President Irfaan Ali convened a virtual, emergency multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss urgent issues related to strengthening and advancing the National COVID-19 response. The meeting discussed the need to ensure that there is a balance between the health of the economy and the health and wellbeing of citizens.
It also examined how to enhance the capacity of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control at Liliendaal to function as an isolation facility, as well as the reopening of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for commercial travel.
President Ali noted that while such a step is integral to the stabilising and re-energising of the economy, a decision will not be taken without considering the safest and most practical model moving forward.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who also attended the meeting, emphasised the importance of a comprehensive analysis of the situation to the creation of sound policies to guide the National COVID-19 Response.
Private Sector representatives and members of the media also attended the meeting. These stakeholders were given the opportunity to offer their suggestions and input on key aspects to be included in a coordinated plan moving forward. These suggestions centred around strengthening the enforcement of safety measures and protocols that enhance the training of health personnel; access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); the importance of strengthened inter-agency communications among all stakeholders; and adoption of the best strategy moving forward.
Following the discussions, the President pledged to continue engaging all stakeholders as his Government moves towards formalising a concerted strategy to take the country forward. He also assured that all the concerns raised in the discussions would be examined. The President also informed the meeting that sub-committees will be established to tackle pressing COVID-19 related issues head on. (G8)