43 new COVID-19 cases reported, 921 patients recovered

As testing increases

A total of 43 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was confirmed on Saturday by the Health Ministry. This has increased the total number of positive cases recorded in Guyana to 1459. The daily dashboard showed that deaths from the virus remained at 46. A gender breakdown further revealed that 717 males and 742 females have been infected thus far. There are now 16 persons in the designated Intensive Care Unit – an increase of two. Meanwhile, 53 persons are in institutional isolation, 99 in institutional quarantine and 423 on home isolation. The total recovered cases stand at 921 – an increase of 77.
From the new cases, eight were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), three in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 22 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
In Regions 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the positives remained the same at 75 and 231 respectively.
Thus far, Guyana has facilitated testing on 9337 persons. Guyana would have sent some 500 samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency to aid the country’s case backlog. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony told Guyana Times on Saturday that the Ministry began receiving those results as of Friday. Through this initiative, the country has been able to reduce the backlog to under 1000, with plans to send more for processing in the new week.
“I am aware that some came back yesterday (Friday) but not all of it. I know they started receiving some of the results,” the Minister informed.
On Friday, Guyana’s death toll for the novel coronavirus increased after two women succumbed to the deadly disease. The Health Ministry in a statement revealed an 82-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 47-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini) died after battling the virus.
On Wednesday, two deaths, both of which were males, were also reported by health officials. A 67-year-old of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 48-year-old of Region Four died while receiving care at the designated medical facility. Prior to this, the last death was reported on Tuesday.
Dr Anthony later told the media that the increased deaths are primarily linked to underlying diseases. He stated that in many scenarios, these patients are initially admitted for another condition.
It was noted that engagements were facilitated between several stakeholders, including the Russian Government, so as to ensure that Guyana benefits as soon as possible from the immunisation shots. Authorities are in talks with many agencies to broaden the possibility of benefitting immediately.
“We want to make those calls so that we can benefit from it…It is not a commitment to buy. We want to understand the science behind it…I think it’s important that we engage early so we have many options to choose from,” the Minister assured.
Throughout the past week, several ventilators were installed at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to boost their capacity. Officials are also seeking to source other equipment to bolster the country’s fight.
It was one area which the Ministry was facing constraints, since only four of the 12 beds were equipped with such equipment. However, through contributions from the Government of India, this challenge was overcome. (G12)