– no deaths recorded; death toll remains at 535
The Ministry of Health has reported that from 1342 swabs that were taken for testing, 84 returned positive for COVID-19 on Friday, thus brining the confirmed cases to 22,458 – 10,961 males and 11,497 females.
There were no reported cases of death and as such, the death toll remains at 535.
New statistics provided on Friday showed that 757 cases are still active with 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 77 in institutional isolation and 665 in home isolation. Another four persons are being monitored in institutional quarantine.
Guyana has since tested 224,529 persons thus far, of which 21,166 have recovered.
New cases were detected across eight administrative regions, with two in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 10 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 47 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); eight in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 11 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no new cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday reiterated that the relaxation of national measures can only be considered once Guyana has cross the herd immunity benchmark, that is, 85 per cent of the adult population being completely immunised. If not, the circulation of variants and other factors could contribute to a surge in infections.
“When we get to herd immunity, then we can talk about relaxation of measures. Until we get there, it’s going to be difficult to do so. Primarily, we have seen the evolution of variants that are more infectious, that would cause more severe diseases and which can result in deaths. We have seen what has happened with the Delta variant, where countries infected with the Delta variant are seeing more cases, more deaths, more hospitalisations and can easily overwhelm the health systems,” the Minister explained.
In Guyana, 50 per cent of persons have taken their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; with 28 per cent yet to secure their second dose.
“Unless people get vaccinated and not just with one dose, with both doses, then it becomes protective. We want to encourage people to make sure that they get vaccinated because this is the only way you can protect yourself. It’s a simple message. Go out and get vaccinated…We still have a far way to go to get to herd immunity. We’re pegging herd immunity around 85 per cent of our population and we’re a very far way from that.”
Over the past few days, Dr Anthony outlined that the uptake has been good. On average, about 3000 persons are taking the jabs daily.
“Our capacity to do vaccination is great so with 100 sites operating with about 200 vaccines at each one of these sites per day, we can do so much more. But the sites are being underutilised because people are not coming out.”
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 emphasises 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.
