…10 in ICU
Four more persons have been included in Guyana’s COVID deaths, raising the country’s death toll since the pandemic to 1220.
The Health Ministry informed on Saturday that three persons were from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) – an 89-year-old female, a 53-year-old male, and another 81-year-old male. The fourth individual is an 89-year-old female from Region Four. These deaths were reported between February 5 and 22, 2022, and three were unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, the daily dashboard showed an increase of 35 cases, resulting in 62,891 total infections to date. Some 28,957 males contracted the virus along with 33,934 females.
There are 10 persons in the specialised Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 30 in institutional isolation, 702 in home isolation and 12 in institutional quarantine.
The number of recoveries now stands at 60,929, while 538,535 persons have been tested to date. Guyana’s active cases have decreased to 742.
Regionally, there were three new cases in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 25 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
No increases were reported in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday explained that countries are extending the interval between first and second doses for the Pfizer vaccine. Now, Guyana’s Technical Committee will meet and based on the information provided by the US-FDA, adjustments will be made.
“On very rare occasions, persons especially males receiving the vaccine can develop myocarditis. That’s inflammation of the heart muscle. Although it is rare, it is still there and so they have been trying to figure out what to do with this type of reaction. They found that if you increase the distance between first and second dose, that it reduces this impact on the myocardium of the heart. Therefore, the FDA recently would have recommended that the regimen between first and second dose be increased,” he shared.
Latest vaccination statistics indicate that 431,597 adults or 84.1 per cent have received a first dose while 326,867 or 63.7 per cent have returned for their second shot. In the adolescent age group, 24,134 or 33.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. Booster doses stand at 49,742.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to 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. (G12)
