Almost 50% COVID-19 deaths from Region 4 – Health Minister

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday disclosed that 48 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in the country are from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) which caters for 42 per cent of the country’s population.
From the 893 persons that died from the virus in Guyana, Region Four accounted for an alarming 437 fatalities since the pandemic started.
A regional breakdown of fatalities showed 45 for Region One (Barima-Waini), 37 for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 130 for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 46 for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 69 for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 41 for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), five for Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 23 for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 60 for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
He disclosed that deaths have been primarily reported among the unvaccinated population. For those who were completely vaccinated, their deaths arose from other underlying illnesses.
“Most of these persons would be unvaccinated. A few of them would have been partially vaccinated and there are very few who would have been fully vaccinated. Those who have been fully vaccinated and died are those who would have had a poor prognosis because of several comorbidities. Generally, the majority of persons who have died so far have been unvaccinated.”
He clarified yet again that while vaccination does not prevent infections completely, it will shield persons from contracting a severe form or dying.
The Health Minister outlined, “Many persons who have been vaccinated can get infected but they’ll get a milder form of the infection. Therefore, if we know that a vaccinated person can still be infected and potentially carry the virus, it would mean that we still have to do testing. That is the policy. That is what we have been doing and that is what a lot of countries around the world have been doing.”
Last month was the deadliest in the COVID-19 pandemic, where a whopping 180 persons lost their lives. The country is in its third wave of the pandemic and the Health Minister had attributed these rising numbers to the deadly Delta variant – proven to be highly transmissible. In light of the situation, preparation had already started to boost the health system’s capacity to treat infections and severely ill patients.

Hotspots
There are 157 active cases in Region Two, with Wakapao being the major hotspot. Over in Region Three, there are 1414 active infections with hotspots being Tuschen, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt, Parika, Vreed-en-Hoop, Crane, Pouderoyen, Cornelia Ida, Hague, West Minister, Uitvlugt, La Grange, Anna Catherina, Leonora, Good Fortuin, Sister’s Village and Patentia.
For Region Four, hotspots on the East Bank Demerara are Diamond, Grove, Herstelling, Soesdyke; and on the East Coast, they are Mon Repos, Heslington, Better Hope, Non Pariel, Victoria, Paradise, Lusignan.
Georgetown currently has 685 active cases spanning Sophia, Kitty, Campbellville, South Ruimveldt, Lodge, Cummings Lodge, West Ruimveldt and other areas.
Meanwhile, New Amsterdam in Region Six; Bartica in Region Seven; and Amelia’s Ward, Wismar, and McKenzie in Region 10 are areas of concern. (G12)