4 more succumb to COVID, 179 new cases recorded

…1 child remains in ICU

The Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that four more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, thus taking the country’s death toll to 482.
For July, six individuals have died from the virus.
The latest fatalities include two males: a 71-year-old from Region 10 and an 81-year-old from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) who died on July 4.
An 82-year-old man, also from Region Five, also died on July 3 and a 75-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) succumbed on July 2.
However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 179 new cases were detected during a 24-hour period and a whopping 134 of that total is from Region Nine. The confirmed cases have now climbed to a staggering 20,568.
The Ministry also stated that 14 patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 96 in institutional isolation, 1510 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic started, 194,775 individuals were tested – of which 10,045 males and 10,523 females were positive.
With spikes in Region Nine, additional testing sites have been established to trace all positives. A spread shows 53 cases in Lethem, 50 in Tapachinga, 41 in St Ignatius, 31 in Sand Creek and 25 in Aishalton.
Additionally, there were two new cases recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 22 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 12 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, Guyana has immunised 233,796 persons or 48.4 per cent of the adult population. First doses are currently pegged at 114,394 or 23.5 per cent.
The Health Ministry is working to establish vaccination sites at health centres across the capital city, having recognised that many persons are unvaccinated.
“As of [this] week, we want to activate that plan where health centres in and around the city would now become vaccination sites. Anybody who requires a vaccine, whether it is for first or second dose, we’re encouraging you to go to one of these sites where you can go and get your vaccines. In and around the city, we have quite a population and quite a sizeable amount of that population is still not vaccinated,” said Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday.
From the children that were hospitalised with a severe form of COVID-19, one remains in the Intensive Care Unit while another two are seeking treatment in the wards.
“We continue to monitor these children to see how they’re progressing, to make sure that they’re getting all the meds that they require and all the measures that should be taken are taken. We’re hoping that they’ll be able to get better and be out of the hospital shortly,” he further expressed.
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.