44 COVID-19 deaths recorded in October

– cases in Kwebanna continue to climb despite lockdown

October has been dubbed the deadliest month for Guyana since the first imported case of COVID-19 back in March 2020, with a whopping 44 deaths. October is followed by September with 38 deaths.
According to information released by the Ministry of Health, at the end of October, Guyana recorded 126 deaths. On October 31, a 48-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 67-year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini) died while receiving care at medical facilities.
The day prior, 70-year-old Godfrey Layne of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), succumbed while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Layne was admitted to the hospital on September 30 and was in the dedicated COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). No deaths have been recorded for November thus far.
Meanwhile, although Kwebanna, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has gone into lockdown, the Health Ministry has continued to record positive cases. It was reported that only recently, a man died from the village and as such, the Ministry had imposed a 14-day lockdown but from reports received, there had been a breach.
The police and health officials were reportedly called in to handle the situation. Nevertheless, the Health Ministry has taken a number of measures to bring the situation under control. According to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, the rapid increase in cases for such a small community is worrying.
He said the Ministry is currently monitoring each case and will take the necessary action to provide the level of care required if the health of persons deteriorates.
In addition to providing healthcare services, they are also conducting sensitisation campaigns, etc.
Only a few days back, 23-year-old Samuel Henry, the son of a COVID-19 victim went berserk and chopped one of his cousins – 35-year-old Kamal Wilson – to death. A sister of the suspect had stated that since his father’s death, he had not been himself and as such requested that he undergoes a psychiatric evaluation.
The sister had noted that COVID-19 has had an effect on every member of the community since they were forced to be in lockdown, thus limiting their movements.