4 more COVID-19 deaths, 60 new cases

…over 220,000 persons receive 1st dose vaccine

Four more fatalities were recorded as a result of the novel coronavirus, alarmingly adding to the country’s current death toll of 430.
The latest fatalities are a 39-year-old man from Region 10, a 54-year-old man from Region Six, a 76-year-old woman from Region Four, and a 78-year-old man from Region Six. They died while receiving treatment, marking 32 persons to succumb for the month of June.
Monday’s dashboard showed an increase of 60 new cases in one day. The total confirmed cases in the country have now increased to 18,446. There are 21 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 120 in institutional isolation, 1562 in home isolation – a total of 1703 active cases. No one is being monitored in institutional quarantine.
Some 16,313 of the 9048 males and 9398 females that tested positive have since recovered. Guyana has tested 169,995 persons since the virus was detected here.
An analysis of new cases showed three from Region One (Barima-Waini), seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 24 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 11 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and six in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases remained the same in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) at 511, 631, 378 and 1107, respectively.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday announced that over 220,000 persons have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines in Guyana. This comes through several avenues to get people immunised, including recent vaccine drive-thru events that were dubbed a success.
During the latest COVID-19 update, it was indicated that first doses have already covered 220,997 persons or 45.4 per cent of the adult population. Second doses are at 87,919 persons or 18.1 per cent of the eligible category.

Floods, challenges
The Health Minister shared that with recent flooding, there were challenges in reaching every region. Nevertheless, these activities will be continuing in other areas in the meanwhile.
This weekend, vaccination drive-thru events at the Guyana National Stadium and the MovieTowne Mall were a success, with just over 2700 people receiving both first and second doses. Dr Anthony said other locations are being considered to expand this initiative.
“In summary, we had quite a bit of success with this type of exercise where people are driving through and getting their vaccines. A lot of people would have commented on the efficiency by the way they were able to come and get their vaccines quickly. I think a lot of people enjoyed that. We are going to examine and continue to do a number of exercises. We will be consulting with communities to see where we can ideally place them,” he outlined.
Regional statistics as of Monday showed 53.8 per cent immunisation in Region One, 42 per cent in Region Two, 44.8 per cent in Region Three, 47.2 per cent in Region Four, 48.6 per cent in Region Five, 53 per cent in Region Six, 44.1 per cent in Region Seven, 28.5 per cent in Region Eight, 42.5 per cent in Region Nine and 13.6 per cent in Region 10.
During the briefing, persons eligible to donate blood were asked to come forward and do so, in order to replenish the country’s supply. The Health Minister noted that while they would collect some 12,000 units every year, last year’s figures were less due to the ongoing pandemic.
“I just want to encourage everyone who is healthy enough to come out and donate blood. As you know, blood can save lives of people and we want to have adequate amount of blood at our blood bank so that those who require it will have access to it.” (G12)