80% of COVID-19 deaths are male – CMO

…no new cases detected in 48 hours

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases have not increased in two days, but there are alarming statistics for the number of male deaths recorded.

During ‘the daily update’ on Thursday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud stressed that 80 per cent of the 10 recorded deaths were males.

He also said that of all the positive cases, children account for 5.4

per cent, adults account for 82 per cent, and the elderly account for 12.6 per cent. Although 52 per cent of the confirmed cases were male, males account for 80 per cent of COVID-19 deaths locally.
As at Thursday’s update, Dr Persaud said, the country’s total confirmed cases of the COVID-19 stood at 93, the same figure as at the previous days of Tuesday and Wednesday.

An additional 22 tests were done, bringing the total number of persons tested to 736, of which 643 returned negative.
The number of persons who have recovered from the

disease has increased from 27 to 34. Three persons are still receiving treatment in the COVID-19 ICU, while six are in institutional quarantine and 49 are in isolation.

“To date, the total number of patients seen in the COVID-19 ICU is 26, with 7 deaths being registered within the ICU. The total number of patients who were transferred from ICU is 13, with the total number of patients who recovered and were discharged from ICU being 3,” the CMO shared.
Dr Persaud had on Wednesday expressed concern that many men are disregarding guidelines in regard to health practices that would protect them from the coronavirus, and

on Thursday 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 bemoaned.

The Public Health Ministry, he noted, continues to appeal to the general public to come forward or call the hotline if they are experiencing signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19. They can also access services from the mobile

units which have been strategically placed in Georgetown and on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.
“Testing is critical if we are to uncover the asymptomatic cases and to provide them with the necessary screening, and assist in reducing the number of illnesses and deaths due to the severe form of the disease,” Dr Persaud expressed.
While the global fatality rate of the World Health Organisation (WHO) stands at 4 per cent, Guyana’s fatality rate is a whopping 10.8 per cent. Dr Persaud indicated that this is relative to the fact that many persons are asymptomatic, meaning: they show no symptoms, but are carrying the virus.
He highlighted: “This simply means that we must detect those in our communities (who are) showing no symptoms but require medical intervention. From information provided, globally, many healthy younger persons infected with COVID-19 do not display the usual symptoms. These persons can continue to transmit the virus to other vulnerable persons in our society by not practising control measures such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, and the using of masks.”
He said that globally, there are three million, five hundred and eighty-eight thousand, seven hundred and seventy-three (3,588,773) confirmed cases, with two hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred and three (247,503) deaths.
In the region of the Americas alone, there are one million, five hundred and seven thousand, one hundred and forty-eight (1,507,148) confirmed cases, with eighty-one thousand and seventy (81,070) deaths. The latter is an increase of 1,480 deaths in 24 hours.
Dr Persaud pointed out that Guyana stands at great threat because of being situated next to Brazil, where the pandemic is spiralling out of control. As such, persons in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are asked to exercise additional caution against contracting the disease.
“Brazil has 107,780 cases, with 7,321 deaths. For Guyana, this simply means that our bordering regions with Brazil are at additional risk of contracting the coronavirus disease; and so all residents, especially (those) of Region Nine, are asked to be extremely vigilant and comply with all control measures,” Dr Persaud declared.