Active COVID cases climb to 949 after 128 new infections

Climbing coronavirus positives is the trend in Guyana’s current spike in the pandemic, with active cases growing close to 1000.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday revealed that active COVID cases in Guyana have peaked at 949 after 128 new infections were detected within a 24-hour period. The total number of confirmed cases is now at 65,422 while the death toll remains at 1238.
However, new statistics showed that 29 patients are hospitalised – 17 of whom are being monitored at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. There are two patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 27 in institutional isolation, 920 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine.
A regional breakdown of active infections reflects nine in Region One (Barima-Waini); 66 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 96 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 524 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 50 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 147 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 18 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 17 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 22 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“A lot of this might be an underestimate because people who have done home testing, if they’re positive and haven’t reported it, then we wouldn’t be able to capture that in our statistics,” Dr Anthony commented on the active numbers.
With the Ministry aiming to start immunisation of the five to 11 age group this weekend, there are a few requirements, looking at the child’s medical history, allergies and other factors. Standard questions will be ventilated with the parent or guardian before the vaccine is administered. A consent form will have to be signed as well.
“It’s not very complicated. I think it is there for us to understand the child’s health status and once we get that information, then we’ll be able to make a better decision on behalf of the child…In some cases, there are children who would have a depressed immune system. It’s not that they wouldn’t be able to get it. It’s just that we’ll have to review a little bit more thoroughly before administering it,” he assured.
Adult vaccination numbers reflect 442,590 first doses being administered along with 342,250 second doses. This is 86.3 per cent and 66.7 per cent, respectively. For persons aged 12 to 17, complete immunisation coverage is 25,469 or 34.9 per cent. Only 66,081 booster doses have been administered.
According to the Health Minister, the response to the vaccines within the adolescent category varies across regions. While the adolescent uptake lags behind generally, Region Nine has surpassed the 100 per cent first dose uptake with 89.9 per cent second dose coverage.
This is followed by Region One with 65.9 per cent for first doses and 40.4 per cent for second doses. Region Eight has a 64.7 per cent first dose coverage and 57 per cent second dose. The statistics wind down with Regions Six, Three, Five, Four, Two and Seven.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
Global figures show that almost 530 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.2 million have died. In the Americas, more than 157 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths.