COVID-19 cases continue to increase, 7 new cases detected

– active cases now stand at 195
– Regions 7 and 9 are hotspots

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to increase in Guyana, with seven new cases detected from the 62 tests that were conducted in the previous 24-hour span. This now brings the total active cases to 195 and the overall number to 396.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud noted that of the new cases, six were from Arau in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the other one was from Georgetown.
To date, the total number of tests done is 5712, but the number of persons tested is 4478. There have been 20 COVID-19 related deaths, with 195 active cases in institutional isolation, 34 persons in institutional quarantine and four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Another 181 persons have recovered.
Dr Persaud said Regions Seven and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were still hotspots for the virus. On Monday, all of the 19 recorded cases came from Region Nine.
“Our hotspots continue to be Regions Seven and Nine – which remain high-risk areas…The majority are coming from Region Seven and yesterday (Monday), all the new cases were reported in Region Nine. As you are aware, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo shares a wide expanse of border with Brazil where COVID-19 is rampant,” the CMO noted.
In the global ranks, Brazil comes second after the United States of America and has reported a total of 2, 455, 905 cases with 88,017 deaths. Hence, all local village officials and residents were asked to take the guidelines seriously and ensure that migrants were not permitted entry.
“Residents, the [Health] Ministry continues to plead with you to adhere to the health guidelines and to intensify your community action. Village Councillors, gate keepers and prominent members of the communities, your role is to work collectively to ensure compliance with the regulations if you wish to keep down the transmission of the disease. No cross-border movement should be allowed and any migrants to the community must be immediately reported to the authorities. In the communities too, you have to act responsibly,” the senior health official reminded.
Persons are being asked to only leave their home if there is an urgent need and to wear a mask in public, while washing hands frequently and practising social distancing.
According to the World Health Organisation, the total number of cases has increased to 16,114,449 with 646,641 deaths and in the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases is now 8,610,134 with 337, 439 deaths.