A surge in COVID-19 infections has seen active cases taking a steep increase to 2052 and some regions have reported concerning figures, which are still on the rise.
On Friday, figures showed three regions reporting the highest number of active infections, with Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) leading with 1149. There are 298 active cases on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), 439 in Georgetown, and 412 on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), there are 431 active cases – 47 of which are in Tuschen.
In Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 72 cases are being monitored – 58 of which are in Bartica.
In Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), there are 46 cases, followed by 38 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 22 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony outlined, “In different regions, there are different levels of cases that we are seeing but currently we have 2052 cases that are active. Again, because this variant is more transmissible, people coming into contact with someone who has been infected with this Delta variant – if they’re not protected, keeping their distance, not wearing masks – they themselves can be infected.”
He added, “For every one person that is infected with the (Delta) variant, the possibility is that they can infect about nine others. Unless people are taking precautions, then we’ll see more and more people becoming infected. We have already started seeing a climb in the cases.”
The National COVID-19 Task Force continues to monitor for any violation of the National COVID-19 measures. With the Delta surge causing more infections, the Minister lobbied for stakeholders to act responsibly.
“If you bring more people, then the chances are you can create conditions. If someone is positive and didn’t wear the protective masks properly, potentially they can spread infections…Those things are published in the Order so if anybody got any doubt, all they need to do is to visit the Order and make sure they’re in compliant.”
There are currently four variants of concern, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. However, Delta has proven to be the most infectious and deadly thus far.
Variants of Interest are those under investigation, and include Eta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda and Mu. A variant becomes on of interest based on a comparative assessment, which monitors increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; or decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures.
The World Health Organisation is investigating Mu, which has the potential of evading antibodies that were created to protect against the virus. The variant, referred to as B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia earlier this year and has now been detected in over 40 countries. This week, it was added as a WHO “variant of interest”.
“There are some other mutations that they would have seen, which is totally new and those mutations are now being investigated to see what would occur. Is it going to cause more severity? Is it going to cause more transmission?”
