82 of 136 new COVID cases from Region 9

…2 more deaths recorded

Two deaths and 136 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Saturday led to an overall rise of the country’s curve, as Guyana battles through its third wave.
New fatalities have taken the total fatalities to 444 – 46 of which are for the month of June.
The new deaths are a 77-year-old woman and a 40-year-old male, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They died on Saturday while receiving care at a medical facility.
Previously on Friday, a 67-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) was the last person to succumb to the virus.
In one day, a glaring 136 new cases were recorded, taking the total positives recorded to date to 18,973. The figures showed that 82 of these positives were recorded in Region Nine. There are 21 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 108 in institutional isolation and 1353 in home isolation. Another two persons are under institutional quarantine. A total of 17,047 persons have recovered while 175,587 were tested.
A breakdown showed the detection of two new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), eight in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 30 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), six in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 82 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and six in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remained at 526, 639 and 379, respectively.
In recent news, the Health Ministry had asked the National Assembly for a supplementary provision to the tune of $1.9 billion, to be directed for the purchasing of COVID-19 vaccines. The sum of 1.2 billion was requested to facilitate payment for vaccines, supplies and the immunisation campaign; as part of efforts from the Ministry’s end to mitigate a further spread. Another $619 million is for additional resources to purchase vaccines.
Presently, the country is awaiting more second doses of the Sputnik V jabs, which can be administered within a four to 12-week interval.
So far, Guyana has been able to secure 62,400 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines from COVAX with more to arrive until 20 per cent of the population is covered. There were donations of 3000 doses of AstraZeneca shots from Barbados, 20,000 Sinopharm doses from China and another 80,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India.
Government has also procured 400,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Dubai. Some 305,000 doses of this have so far arrived and the additional 95,000 is expected to arrive soon. Another 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China will arrive within the next two weeks.
Through an African Union/Caricom Agreement, Guyana is procuring 148,000 doses of vaccines – a portion of which will include Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccines.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, 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)