47 new COVID-19 cases recorded

…death toll now 32, WCB man latest victim

A total of 47 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed as of Thursday, raising the total to 1140 to date.
The data was released via the Health Ministry’s dashboard, which also showed a rise in the death toll to 32. The latest victim is a 52-year-old man, who was identified as Alfred Humphrey of Kingelly Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
He succumbed on August 24 at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Meanwhile, other statistics showed that there are now 10 persons in the designated ICU – an increase of one. There are 102 persons in institutional isolation, 119 in institutional quarantine and 380 in home isolation. The total recovered cases stand at 616 – a difference of 82.
Meanwhile, a breakdown of new cases shows that one was detected in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 10 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 34 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
To date, 563 males have contracted the virus, as opposed to 577 women. The number of persons who have been tested since the first case was detected stands at 7654.
While dispelling rumours about testing, Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative to Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow has recently assured the public that his organisation ensured that test kits met all the necessary standards before being dispatched to countries for use.
“I can assure the public that the tests being done in Guyana are secure, safe, and quality assured, so if you get a positive, it’s a true positive… All the testing kits that we have have to go through a quality assurance first, then go through PAHO and then it comes here monitored, temperature-sensitive monitored, so by the time we get them, we know they are in good stead,” he had explained in a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI).
According to Dr Adu-Krow, “To the best of my knowledge, the kits that were graciously given by the Government of China came to us about six to eight weeks ago. Those were used and we did not have any problems. Now, there is someone suddenly saying we are getting increases because of that; that is a lie.”
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has repeatedly urged persons to go out and get tested and not let the rumours circulating be a deterrent. Since widespread testing has been increased, the number of positive cases being identified is a true reflection of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
It was reported on Wednesday that Government has secured a whopping $4.5 billion to aid in the coronavirus relief, which will be used to help households, procure medical supplies, and resources in other areas of need.