…rate of recovery has been “quite good” – Health Minister
There are now 5005 cases of COVID-19 in Guyana after 29 new cases were detected within one day. This number represents the total number of confirmed cases after 26,580 persons were tested. 
The latest dashboard on Friday showed 2619 males and 2393 females contracting the virus thus far while deaths have remained at 143.
There are nine persons in the Intensive Care Unit, 101 in institutional isolation, 768 in home isolation and 73 in institutional quarantine. To date, there have been 3984 recoveries, while 26,580 people have been tested thus far.
A breakdown showed seven new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), one in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 15 in Region Four (Barima-Waini), one in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There are still 114 cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 172 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 376 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
A 60-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has been confirmed as Guyana’s latest death from the novel coronavirus. On Wednesday, a 66-year-old man of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) had also succumbed to COVID-19, according to the Ministry.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted during the latest update that a large proportion of the active cases have recovered, with over 700 persons yet to recover completely. However, the intensive patients remain a concern.
“Our rate of recovery has been quite good. Our challenge really is that small percentage of people, about 20 per cent or so, who require hospitalisation. Then a smaller per cent, maybe four per cent, require ICU care. Those who require ICU, we’re providing that care but those are very critical patients.”
The Infectious Diseases Hospital will have adequate space to handle critical patients after the final piece of equipment is installed. While they were expecting to transfer patients this week, this has been deferred by a few days. Nevertheless, other parts of the hospital are already in use.
“Everything else is operational. There is just one piece of equipment that we had a little difficulty with so we’re getting that sorted out. A major part of the hospital is in use. This section that we’re talking about is for critical patients and want to ensure that everything that is needed for those patients are in place before we move anybody in there,” Dr Anthony shared.
Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 10), which are in effect until November 31, 2020. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
This is important given the fact that the Region of the Americas, which is made up of L atin America and the Caribbean, has been identified as the most affected region by the virus.
