From 1294 swabs that were taken for analysis within a 24-hour period, 43 have returned positive for COVID-19. With that, the total number of confirmed cases now stand at 21,850 – 10,660 males and 11,190 females.
New statistics provided by the Health Ministry showed that deaths have remained at 518 – the latest of which were recorded on Thursday after three persons died.
Nevertheless, 14 persons are still seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 101 in institutional isolation, 851 in home isolation and one in institutional quarantine. 
Guyana has tested 215,158 persons thus far. Out of those that tested positive, 20,366 have since recovered, leaving 866 active cases.
New cases were detected across six administrative regions, with seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 23 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); seven in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no new positives in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
While acknowledging that persons have democratic rights, President Irfaan Ali reminded that they also have a social responsibility. The President said responsible persons who took the vaccine to protect themselves and their families cannot be put at risk by an irresponsible few, who chose not to get immunised.
Only recently, the President pointed out that these are just some of the different models that are being adopted worldwide to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to outline that the pandemic is not a joke and so Government has to toughen its approach to ensure that the population is protected.
The Head of State went on to say that there has been a lot of clamours for the cinema industry to be reopened. Similar considerations are being given to expand the capacity at social places such as restaurants. Presently, restaurants, bars and other similar places are allowed to operate at a 40 per cent capacity for indoor dining.
But according to President Ali, a proposal is on the table to increase this capacity to 60 per cent. However, he added that in order to protect citizens, only vaccinated persons will be allowed in these places.
Since the launch of the national vaccination exercise in February, Guyana has utilised three vaccines, namely: AstraZeneca/Oxford, Russian-made Sputnik V and the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm jabs.
As of this week, over 244,000 persons or 50.2 per cent of the country’s adult population have taken the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses have surpassed 129,000 or 26.6 per cent. For Guyana to reach herd immunity, about 80 to 85 per cent of adults would have to take the shots.
Authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitising. The measures also include a 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am) national curfew that is in effect until July 31, 2021.
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 us at www.health.gov.gy.
