…41 new cases, 7 persons in ICU
Another death from the novel coronavirus disease has been reported in Guyana – a 74-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
He succumbed while receiving medical attention on Sunday and is regarded as the country’s 181st COVID-19 death. Prior to this, the last death was reported on Friday after an 86-year-old male from Region Four also succumbed at a medical facility.
Meanwhile, 41 new cases were reported on Monday, a majority of which emerged from Waramadong in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). This latest figure has moved the total confirmed cases recorded in Guyana to 8023. However, active cases are 865. Some 4177 males and 3846 females contracted the virus – of which 6977 have recovered completely.
There are seven patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 41 persons in institutional isolation, 817 in home isolation and eight in institutional quarantine. Health officials have tested 53,059 persons since the virus was detected locally.
New cases
A breakdown of the new infections showed that two new cases were detected in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 14 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and 25 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
There are still 1014 cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), 232 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 215 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 447 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 242 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 410 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 625 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
With testing over the weekend in Warmadong, a number of new positive cases emerged. The Region Seven community had witnessed a spike in cases over the past few weeks and a doctor is on-site to assist with detections and treatment. Recently, students were among the infections and were isolated at one of the dorm facilities. The health team will return as officials contemplate on establishing additional measures.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed during the coronavirus update, “There’s ongoing discussion about those measures and we’ll be working with the community to ensure that we reduce the amount of cases. Those persons who have tested positive are currently in isolation. The community centre in the village is being used as an isolation centre and there were students who have tested positive. There are four dorms at the secondary so one would be utilised as an isolation centre for the students that tested positive.”
Neighbouring communities have monitored to determine if there are undetected cases. Infections continue to rise in the other regions, prompting surveillance from the Ministry. However, these are in smaller numbers.
On the mobile testing initiative which the Ministry had started, Dr Anthony said there are scenarios where people refuse to be tested. The Ministry is contemplating the practicability of continuing such in light of these challenges.
“We have gone into communities where we have seen high COVID prevalence but unfortunately, we’ll spend sometimes two-three days there and people don’t come to be tested. We’re trying to weigh the benefits of doing it…It’s not that we don’t want to do it but when we go into these communities, we can solicit a response.” (G12)
