Four more women have succumbed to the novel coronavirus – the latest deaths that have moved the country’s overall death rate to an alarming 582.
The Health Ministry announced that these persons died on August 15 and included a 34-year-old and 44-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 70-year-old and 71-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Since Sunday, nine fatalities were reported. For the month of August thus far, deaths have climbed to 33.
Infections increased by 100 within the course of one day, after 2010 persons were swabbed for the virus. Consequently, confirmed cases rose to 23,675.
Active cases are pegged at 1043: 12 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 91 in institutional isolation, 940 in home isolation. Six persons are also being monitored in institutional quarantine. Some 246,894 individuals were tested since March 2020 – of which 11,507 males and 12,168 females were positive.
New cases were spread across eight regions, with one in Region One (Barima-Waini), 13 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 66 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), six in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no new positives in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Vaccination sites across Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are currently out of stock of the Sputnik V second doses, the Health Ministry also informed on Tuesday. Some 5000 of the second component would have arrived in the country and were distributed across the country. Another shipment is slated to arrive within the near future.
Both doses of the AstraZeneca and Sinopharm jabs are still available, along with first dose Sputnik V.
Vaccinating children
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has expressed that the Education Ministry has been working aggressively as the country moves closer to vaccinating children.
“So far, the Ministry of Education has really done a good job in getting those letters out. They continue to make sure that by all means possible, every parent would receive such a letter and once they get those letters, hopefully they will be able to make a decision on what they’ll do – whether they’ll allow their child to get vaccinated,” the health official posited during the latest coronavirus briefing.
When this leg of the vaccination campaign materialises, he had urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children take the Pfizer jabs.
“From the Government’s perspective, we’re urging all parents to really get their child vaccinated because this will allow us to reopen school in a very safe environment and children would be protected. We’re anticipating that we’ll get the Pfizer vaccine quite soon and once we get it, we want to roll out the immunisation for children, between 12 years and 18 years.”
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. (G12)
