Another six persons have lost their lives to COVID-19, moving the country’s death toll to 647.
They reportedly died on Sunday. In six days of September, 22 persons have already died from the virus.
On Monday, the Health Ministry said those who succumbed included an 83-year-old male, 56-year-old female and 62-year-old male – all of whom hailed from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The others are a 75-year-old female and 61-year-old male from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); and a 79-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
The patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.
New cases
In one day, an additional 101 persons tested positive, raising confirmed cases to 26,611.
There are 38 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 128 in institutional isolation, 2219 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic, 276,815 individuals were tested – of which 12,822 males and 13,789 females contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases showed seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 71 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 12 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); three in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) did not increase.
Safe public spaces
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has stated that the new COVID-19 measures which only allow vaccinated persons to enter public buildings and agencies are geared at making such spaces safer for Guyanese.
In the new guidelines, measure No 17 stipulates that any person who wishes to enter a public building shall be vaccinated. Where an unvaccinated person wishes to enter a public building, they can do so by appointment, and by presenting a negative PCR test taken within seven days.
“There is now a requirement where if you are going to access any public space, you should be able to show your vaccination card once people ask for it. It is one way of ensuring that the environments in the public is much safer because if you have vaccinated people, the chances are we will have a much safer environment when we visit those places. It’s not only for the people accessing the service. It’s also for the people who are working there,” he highlighted during the COVID-19 briefing on Monday.
Almost 99 per cent of persons currently hospitalised with COVID-19 complications are unvaccinated against the life-threatening virus.
There are about 2200 active cases in Guyana. Some 100 of the 122 hospitalised cases are being monitored at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, and 38 are in the Intensive Care Unit.
“We have to be more cautious. Most of the people who are in the hospital right now, almost 99 per cent of them are unvaccinated. Most of them who are in the ICU are also unvaccinated. So, we really want to appeal to people to make sure that they get their vaccination and protect themselves,” he noted.
In Guyana, 320,747 persons or 62.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose. Meanwhile 168,201 persons are fully immunised. Almost 10,000 children have also received their first Pfizer shot.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit 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. (G12)
