– 1041 active cases being monitored
The Health Ministry on Sunday reported that four more persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed, thus taking Guyana’s death toll to 527.
The fatalities include a 64-year-old man and a 57-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); an 86-year-old male from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 76-year-old female from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
On Saturday, the country saw an increase of five deaths – all of which were from Region Four. In July, there have been 49 reported fatalities. 
New statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 60 new cases were recorded in a 24-hour period. The total confirmed cases in the country have now jumped to 22,150. There are 11 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 66 in institutional isolation, 964 in home isolation – a total of 1041 active cases. Three persons are being monitored in institutional quarantine.
Some 20,582 of the 10,810 males and 11,340 females that tested positive have since recovered. Guyana has tested 218,306 persons since the virus was detected here.
An analysis of new cases showed two from Region One (Barima-Waini), four in Region Two; eight in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 22 in Region Four; four in Five (Mahaica-Berbice), nine in Region Six and 11 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Cases remained the same in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
On Saturday, Government made a decision that non-Guyanese passengers travelling from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana, with the exception of children, should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed entry into the country.
The gazetted document, published as of July 23, 2021, was signed by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill.
The World Health Organisation had recently said that the Delta and other variants of concern are driving some countries to reinstate strict public health social measures. This issue, the WHO noted, is further worsening the social, economic and health impact, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalised people. Vaccine inequity threatens all countries and risks reversing hard won progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organisation pointed out that countries with a high vaccination rate across the Caribbean and Latin America are now witnessing a steady decline in the positive cases recorded, painting a positive outlook as they navigate through the current pandemic.
South American countries with higher rates of vaccinations, including Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina, are reporting sharp decreases in cases. Cases are also decreasing across Canada and most of the United States.
But in Latin America and the Caribbean overall, only 15 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated, and some countries, including Honduras and Haiti, have yet to reach one per cent.
With its low vaccination rate, Honduras is seeing an increase in cases along its border. COVID-19 infections are increasing in most Central American countries, with Guatemala reporting high cases and hospitalisations.
Authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitising. The measures also include a 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am) national curfew that is in effect until July 31, 2021.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
