The Health Ministry on Monday announced that five more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have died, hiking the country’s death toll to 497.
In the month of July so far, 21 individuals have succumbed.
The latest persons to succumb were a 65-year-old man from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); a 67-year-old man from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); an 86-year-old man from Region Four (Mahaica-Berbice) and a 91-year-old woman, also from Region Four. They died on July 11.
On July 10, a 79-year-old man from Region Four also lost his life to the virus.
New cases
Some 49 new cases were detected within the course of one day – raising the total confirmed positives to 21,002.
There are 11 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 76 in institutional isolation and 1318 in home isolation. No one is currently in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic started, 202,087 individuals were tested – of which 10,256 males and 10,746 females were positive.
A regional breakdown of new cases showed four persons testing positive in Region One (Barima-Waini), three in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 11 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 19 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and eight in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no new positives in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Children
It was revealed on Monday by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony that two of the children who were initially hospitalised due to the coronavirus have since been discharged. However, four children are in the hospital – two of whom are seeking intensive care. All of these children have some form of comorbidity or an underlying condition.
“The two that are in the ICU, one has been there for some time now and just early this morning (Monday), another child was admitted to the ICU. We currently have two in the ICU and two in the regular ward…They have different presentations and different illnesses but the doctors there are working with them to make sure they get better,” he shared.
Holistically, approximately 57 persons are hospitalised across the country after they would have contracted the virus – of which 11 are at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.
In light of infections and new deaths every day, the health official reminded that masks are the first line of defence against the virus, as he encouraged the public to abide by this guideline.
“We know that if it’s droplets, that it can travel as far as six feet but if its aerosols, they can even go further. In indoor environment, the aerosols can remain suspended in the air for a prolonged period of time. If you enter a room where someone who is positive but not wearing their mask, then you can inhale these viral particles. The thing here is that we need to wear our mask constantly and correct at all times.”
Nevertheless, as more people continue to get vaccinated, 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 www.health.gov.gy. (G12)
