57 new COVID-19 cases detected from 339 tests

The Ministry of Health on Sunday reported that 57 new novel coronavirus cases were detected over a 24-hour period.
According to the new statistics released by the Ministry, the total number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 6908 – 3544 males and 3364 females. 
Of these, however, only 573 cases are currently active. These include three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 570 in isolation, that is, 45 persons in institutional isolation and the other 525 in home isolation.
In addition, there are 34 persons in institutional quarantine.
The COVID-19 death toll remains at 170 with the last fatality recorded on January 10 when a 65-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) died while receiving care at a medical facility.
To date, some 6165 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus here, that is, 39 more recoveries than what was recorded the previous day.
Meanwhile, Guyana has tested some 44,238 persons for the novel coronavirus thus far.
Of the 57 new cases recorded on Sunday, two were detected in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 15 cases in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica): nine in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 19 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); four cases in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and another four cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The figures in the other two regions – Region One (Barima-Waini) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) – remained the same.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Sunday, some 93,194,922 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 2,014,729 deaths.
The WHO also reported on Sunday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 41,329,493 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 954,545.
At the mark of the two millionth death from the COVID-19 pandemic, United Nations (UN) Secretary General, António Guterres last Friday said the deadly impact of the pandemic has been made worse by the absence of a global coordinated effort.
“In the memory of those two million souls, the world must act with far greater solidarity. Now is the time. Safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out — and the UN is supporting countries to mobilise the largest global immunisation effort in history. We are committed to making sure that vaccines are seen as global public goods — people’s vaccines,” he noted.
According to the SG, this requires full funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and its COVAX facility – which is dedicated to making vaccines available and affordable to all.
“The world’s leading economies have a special responsibility.  Yet today we are seeing a vaccine vacuum.  Vaccines are reaching high-income countries quickly, while the world’s poorest have none at all. Science is succeeding — but solidarity is failing.  Some countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need.  Governments have a responsibility to protect their populations, but ‘vaccinationalism’ is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery,” Guterres contended.
He went on to note that COVID-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time. To this end, the UN SG called on manufacturers to step up their commitment to work with the COVAX facility and countries around the world to ensure enough supply and fair distribution.
“We need countries to commit now to sharing excess doses of vaccines. This would help vaccinate all healthcare workers around the world on an urgent basis and protect health systems from collapse. Others on the frontline, including humanitarian workers and high-risk populations, must be prioritised. To gain public trust, we must boost vaccine confidence and knowledge with effective communication grounded in facts… Our world can only get ahead of this virus one way — together. Global solidarity will save lives, protect people and help defeat this vicious virus,” SG Guterres asserted.
Guyana has signed onto the COVAX facility, a body of organisations including the WHO, aimed at ensuring there is equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the world.
Already, systems have been put in place locally to prepare for the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines including special storage facilities, training for the administration of the vaccine and the establishment of a special vaccine committee to oversee its rollout.
In addition, the Government has also commenced work on reviewing the country’s immunisation laws, which only make provisions for vaccination of children.