Within the course of three days, eight new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Guyana. This has taken the death toll up to 1050.
The fatalities were announced between Saturday and Monday; and included five unvaccinated persons. On December 27, a 55-year-old man from Region 10 succumbed. Three women from Region Six died on December 25 – a 66-year-old, a 69-year-old and a 76-year-old.
Meanwhile, an 85-year-old woman from Region One; a 68-year-old man from Region Four; and an 84-year-old female from Region Four were the fatalities for December 24. The eight death was a 54-year-old man from Region Three who died since December 13.
Over the three days, COVID-19 cases moved from 39,042 to 39,119. There were 44 infections on Saturday, 21 on Sunday and 12 on Monday.
Currently, cases account for 18,451 males and 20,668 females. There are 12patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 32 in institutional isolation, 682 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. Some 37,349 persons have recovered while 419,002 tests were processed.
From a breakdown, one positive case was reported in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 33 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), nine in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 21 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), five in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There was no increase across Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
In the last COVID-19 update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony spoke on the importance of getting vaccinated as he said, “The vaccines have worked and they have protected people. The reason why so many persons are alive today is probably because of those vaccines. You would find that persons who have both doses of the vaccines and if they get COVID, they’ll more than likely get a milder form of COVID. If they were not vaccinated, they probably would be in the hospital and who knows, they probably would have died.”
In the vaccination campaign, over 764,000 vaccine doses have been administered. This number represents some 440,000 first doses and 314,000 second doses. Booster doses account for over 10,400. For the 12 to 17 age cohort, vaccine uptake stands at more than 30,000 first doses and 21,000 second doses. There are some 100 vaccination sites where persons can get their jabs.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO.24), which are in effect until December 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; 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 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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 (G12)
