COVID-19 deaths reached another alarming high on Thursday with the announcement of a whopping eight deaths taking the country’s death toll to 632.
Within three days, the death of 19 persons were reported, corroborating health officials’ warnings that the Delta variant is circulating and will cause more persons to succumb.
On September 1, seven persons died, including a 76-year-old male from Region Three; a 57-year-old male from Region Seven; an 85-year-old male from Region Four; a 49-year-old female from Region Three; a 58-year-old female from Region Four; an 85-year-old male from Region Two; and a 91-year-old female from Region Seven. On August 31, a 53-year-old female also died.
These patients were admitted with COVID-19-like symptoms, but died while receiving care at medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission, which subsequently returned positive tests.
New cases
In one day, a total of 181 new positives emerged, taking the confirmed cases in Guyana to 25,951. There are 33 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 116 in institutional isolation, 1832 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine. In total, 23,338 persons have recovered completely.
Since the start of the pandemic, 271,365 individuals were tested – of which 12,537 males and 13,414 females were positive.
An analysis showed four new cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 27 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 113 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), six in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 20 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), three in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). There has been no increase in Region One (Barima-Waini).
In Guyana, adults can be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V or Johnson and Johnson vaccines. However, the second doses of Sputnik V are in limited amounts. As it relates to the Pfizer jabs, this is not open for the adult subset.
“For adults in Guyana, you have four main vaccines that we’re giving out, and we don’t have a shortage. We have enough for everyone. For the children, we have been using the Pfizer vaccines for persons who are below the ages of 18, up to 12. Pfizer can be used for the adult population, but the Government has taken a policy decision that we’re only going to give it to the children population, because the adults have a choice,” said Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday.
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.
In the Americas, cases have surpassed 84 million, with over two million deaths. (G12)
