8 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, total jumps to 135

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Guyana has increased to 135, after another eight cases were confirmed on Sunday.
This is according to the Ministry of Public Health’s daily updated COVID-19 dashboard. Sunday’s spike in cases comes following two consecutive days where there were no new cases.
Nevertheless, while the number of confirmed cases has increased, the COVID-19 death toll has remained the same, at 10.
To date, some 1457 persons were tested for the novel coronavirus. Of this, 1322 were negative.
Meanwhile, there are now 63 persons in institutional isolation – four more than Saturday’s figure. Additionally, one more person was also placed in institutional quarantine, bringing that number to a total of six.
However, the number of persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has reduced to two. On Saturday, there were four persons in the dedicated ICU.
A total of 62 persons – four more than the day before – have recovered from the life-threatening disease, the Ministry reported.
As the health authorities continue to grapple with the fight against the novel coronavirus in Guyana, concerns continue to mount over the reckless behaviour of men who are not adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the life-threatening disease.
It has been noted that 80 per cent of the victims who died from the coronavirus were males.
Additionally, the latest gender ratio of the COVID-19 positive patients in Guyana from the Ministry was 73:54 male to female. This was on Thursday last, when two new cases were recorded – both being males.
On Friday, the Ministry reported that men make up 57 per cent of the confirmed cases, while women account for the remaining 43 per cent.
Over the past week, the Public Health Ministry enlisted key officials, mostly men, to implore with their fellow males to abide by the guidelines

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, expressed concerns over the fact that many men are disregarding guidelines and health practices to protect themselves from the coronavirus. He reiterated this message, amid the increased deaths in the male population.
“The message I wish to reinforce is to remind you that as breadwinners of the family you put yourself at unnecessary risk and jeopardise the life and livelihood of your families by not complying with the recommended measures,” he stated.
On Wednesday, Men’s Health Coordinator, Dr Dennis Bassier sought to lament the poor health-seeking behaviour being demonstrated by men in Guyana, as they continue to lead the charts.
“This clearly indicates that persons are not taking note of and putting into practice, the strict guidelines for the prevention of transmission of COVID-19. It is the general understanding that men have poor health-seeking behaviour. This is further emphasised by the current situation…Lots of males that have been positively diagnosed are not single. As a result of this, their partners and their children have to be tested, due to them being exposed. There is no shame in wearing a face mask, in practicing social distancing or even constantly sanitising your hands,” he had highlighted.
Meanwhile, Senior Gender Affairs Officer at the Social Protection Ministry, Diego Alfonso on Friday noted that Guyanese men should look at the statistics and reconsider their practices, since 73 males have since contracted the virus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday evening the total number of COVID-19 cases globally was 5,204,508 with 337,687 deaths. In the region of the Americas, the total number of cases is 2,338,124 and the death toll is 138,116 – with Brazil being the epicentre in the region.