The Public Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that the number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana has increased by one within 48 hours.
One of the mobile testing units in Georgetown
According to Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Guyana recorded one new case, resulting in a total of 75 positives.
Out of the positive cases, the number of deaths remains at eight with 15 persons recovering.
Meanwhile, 53 per cent of the positive cases are males and 47 per cent are females. There are five persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 19 in institutional quarantine and 52 in isolation. From the 478 persons, 403 returned with negative results.
“As response efforts continue, a review of our data reveals that much is left to be done to flatten the curve and contain the coronavirus pandemic in Guyana. We continue to see an increase in cases on a regular basis,” Dr Hamilton said.
Hypertensive patients vulnerable
Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton
Family Medicine Specialist attached to the Buxton Health Centre, Dr Aneisha Moore-Thorne also appeared during the Ministry’s live update, bringing awareness to hypertensive patients who are at an increased risk of developing the most complicated form of the COVID-19.
Hypertension or high blood pressure commonly affects the middle-aged and elderly populations and is more common as people grow older.
“That means many of the same people with high blood pressure already overlap with the elderly population known to be at risk for contracting COVID-19 and for developing the very severe complications of the disease should they contract it. This risk worsens even more if the high blood pressure is not controlled,” the specialist highlighted.
She stated that even though COVID-19 is a new pandemic, its symptoms are not new. In fact, many hypertensive patients have seen life-threatening reactions from these symptoms.
“Even though COVID-19 is new to us, what is known is that like any other viral illnesses such as the flu. It can damage the respiratory system and make it harder for your heart to work, something that already happens with Hypertension. This, in turn, can lead to worsening symptoms.”
To monitor the blood pressure during this time, it is important to conduct regular testing. However, this must be taken after at least 15 minutes of rest. It is recommended by medical practitioners that a healthy lifestyle be practiced, ranging from exercises, a healthy diet and low salt intake. Medications should be timely consumed as prescribed by a doctor, and persons are advised to avoid stressful situations.
According to WHO, there are 2,878,196 confirmed cases with 198,668 deaths. In the region of the Americas, the number of confirmed cases is 1,140,520 with 58,492 deaths.
