The Health Ministry on Friday reported that four persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, thus taking Guyana’s death toll closer to 500. 
Those who died are a 61-year-old from Region Nine who died on June 28; a 37-year-old woman from Region Four and an 81-year-old man from Region One who died on June 30. June’s death toll is now at 77 and an overall death toll of 477.
A 68-year-old from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is the first death for July after she succumbed on Thursday.
The Ministry stated that the now dead persons were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at the respective medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.
However, new statistics showed that 89 new cases were recorded in one day. This means the total confirmed cases in the country has now increased to 20,231. There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 97 in institutional isolation, 1448 in home isolation and eight in institutional quarantine.
Some 18,194 of the 9874 males and 10,357 females that tested positive have since recovered. Guyana has tested 191,263 persons since the virus was detected here.
An analysis of new cases shows seven cases were reported in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); nine in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 30 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 22 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); seven in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) did not increase.
Meanwhile, in his daily update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony reiterated that first doses are available for the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines – all of which are effective.
“All of these vaccines are effective…We want people to take it because it is going to protect you from getting COVID in the first instance and then even if you get infected, to maybe get in the milder form. If you’re without a vaccine, then you’re putting yourself at risk. All three of these vaccines are available and we want to encourage people to come out and get their first dose.”
In Guyana, 234,255 persons or 48.1 per cent of the adult population have taken their respective first doses. Some 112,371 or 23.1 per cent have returned for their second doses.
He added, “While a lot of persons would have received their first dose vaccines, those that have become eligible for their second dose, we’ll want them to come and get those second doses and that includes persons who would have gotten their AstraZeneca vaccine and their Sinopharm vaccine.”
Government is still working to acquire the Sputnik V second doses, through dialogue with the supplier. The interval between doses for their vaccines is between four to 12 weeks.
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.
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.
