…younger population not returning for 2nd dose vaccine – Health Minister
Another six COVID-19 deaths were reported on Friday – five of which were unvaccinated cases. Guyana’s death toll is now 910.
The Health Ministry informed that the sixth person was partially vaccinated. All new deaths were recorded on October 28.
They included a 63-year-old female from Region Four; a 48-year-old male from Region Six, a 60-year-old male from Region Four; a 61-year-old male from Region 10; a 46-year-old female from Region Four; and a 66-year-old male from Region Three. 
The latest dashboard showed an increase of 94 new cases in one day. The total confirmed cases in the country have now climbed to 35,444. There are 17 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 68 in institutional isolation, 2816 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine.
Some 31,633 of the 16,760 males and 18,684 females that tested positive have since recovered. Guyana has tested 352,609 persons since the virus was detected here.
An analysis of new cases showed one for Region One (Barima-Waini), six in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 15 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 28 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 16 for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 17 for Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and five in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no increases in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Vaccine coverage
Vaccination numbers show a 381,013 or 74.3 per cent first dose uptake for the adult population. From this, second doses are at 242,327 or 47.2 per cent. Children have been administered with 27,276 first doses and 18,058 second doses.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony identified a trend, whereby increased immunisation is needed among the older age group. This, he pointed out, is the key to recording less deaths among the vaccinated population.
“An interesting thing that we should note is that if we break down the vaccination by age categories, we would see that persons 60 years and over, the coverage there for first dose is 77.5 per cent and for second dose, it’s 63.5 per cent…We need to move that first dose up to close to 85 per cent and of course, we want to get correspondingly the second dose to be closer to that 80 per cent. Once we’re able to do that, we’ll start seeing less deaths.”
For the 40 to 59 age group, there is a 74.7 per cent first dose uptake with second doses at 52.8. In persons 18 to 39, there is a 69.9 per cent first dose coverage and 38.1 per cent second doses.
“Older people generally have taken both doses but with the younger population, they just did a first dose but they didn’t take their second dose. If you don’t get both doses, then you won’t get the benefits of the vaccine,” he cautioned.
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)
