40 new COVID-19 cases recorded

As of Saturday, a total of 40 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in Guyana, which increased the total number of positives recorded to 5879. However, of this amount, 5044 persons have recovered from the virus.

Advisor Dr Leslie Ramsammy distributing masks at the Mon Repos Market, East Coast Demerara

This was released in the Health Ministry’s daily dashboard, which showed the death toll remaining at 154. It has been one week since the last fatality was reported – a 34-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica), who died while receiving care at a medical facility.
Meanwhile, 3037 males and 2842 females have contracted the virus thus far – 681 of which remain active. A total of six patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
There are currently 47 persons in institutional isolation, 628 in home isolation and 33 in institutional quarantine.
A breakdown of positive cases would have shown that three new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), four in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), seven in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 19 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The other figures remained constant with 48 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 182 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 389 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed during the latest COVID-19 update that patients in Bartica are being discharged from isolation, which will see a reduction in the positive cases in the coming days.
“Most persons who have been in isolation are now coming closer to the 10-day period when we can discharge them. We have started the process of discharge and we moved from 80 to 68 today (Friday). That process is going to continue…We anticipate these numbers to come down,” the Minister shared.
He said testing is continuous in the township but no positives were recorded in recent time. This, he noted, is a good sign in bringing the hotspot under control.
“We hope that once people keep complying, that we’ll reduce the amount of active cases in Bartica. We still have a few cases in Orealla and Siparuta but not at that alarming level that we had two weeks ago. Again, similar processes are in place where we are working with the Village Councils and regional health team there.”
Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy would have joined the Block 8, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara Community Policing Group on Saturday for a major mask distribution drive at the Mon Repos Market.
The exercise included the handing out of promotional fliers aimed at encouraging residents to wear their masks and follow the COVID-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. The team distributed about 1500 masks to residents, shoppers, passers-by and commuters.
According to a statement, Dr Ramsammy urged persons to wash their hands as often as possible and desist from hosting gatherings at their homes during the holidays. (G12)