540 males, 458 females succumbed to COVID

…497 deaths recorded in Reg 4
…1 new fatality, 77 new cases reported in 1 day

Statistics have shown that 47 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths reported in Guyana involved persons who were resident in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday stated that, since the virus was detected here in March 2020, fatalities from the virus have reached 998, of which 497 were from Region Four. The others were dispersed in other administrative regions as follows: 47 from Region One (Barima-Waini); 43 from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 148 from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 54 from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 89 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 44 from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); seven from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 29 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and 64 from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
An analysis of the fatalities has shown that 540 males succumbed to the virus, as opposed to 458 females. This means that, at 54 per cent, males have a slight lead in the death rate. Conversely, at 20,105 females compared to 17,992 males, females account for higher infections.
However, on Thursday, one more person died from the virus, moving the death toll to 998. That person was an unvaccinated 32-year-old male from Region Six. In one day, an additional 77 persons tested positive, taking the confirmed cases to 38,028.
Currently, there are 1,283 active cases, of which a majority – 628 – are from Region Four. Region Three has 221 and Region Six has 244.
Some 18 patients are being monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 54 in institutional isolation, 1067 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine.
Since onset of the pandemic, 393,629 tests have been conducted.
Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases shows four for Region One, 15 for Region Three, 20 for Region Four, 35 for Region Six and two for Region 10.
There have been no increases in Regions Two, Five, Seven, Eight and Nine.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene.
The holiday season is in full swing, and Guyanese have already been warned to desist from gathering in large groups and shopping without caution in crowded areas.
Shopping in confined spaces has been more common in recent times, and it has been outlined that this can lead to spikes in infection of the COVID-19 virus, thus exacerbating the public health situation.