COVID-19 deaths near 1200 as 2 more fatalities recorded

…20 samples sent to CARPHA to test for variants

Guyana’s coronavirus death toll has moved up to 1196, after two more persons reportedly succumbed to the virus.
The Health Ministry informed on Monday that the latest fatalities are a 70-year-old male from Region Five, who died on February 14; and a 54-year-old female from Region Three, who died previously on February 13. Only the male was fully vaccinated and the status of the other person is unknown.
In 24 hours, only 10 persons tested positive. This adds to the accumulated confirmed positives to date, which is now at 62,265.
A total of 54 patients are in institutional isolation, 1581 in home isolation and 14 in institutional quarantine. Out of the 28,675 males and 33,590 females that contracted the virus, 59,398 have recovered.
Some 524,656 COVID-19 tests have been administered since the virus was detected here.
Regionally, a breakdown showed one new case in Region One (Barima-Waini), one for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), one in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), three in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
There were no increases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
In Guyana, 1841 active cases are being monitored. Authorities are expecting a further decline this week, thereby lowering these numbers.
Monday’s COVID-19 update was provided by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who informed, “We expect that this is going to decline during this week because there are a number of persons who meet the time for discharge and so we would be discharging those persons. What we have seen is that generally over the last couple of weeks, there has been a decline in the positive cases. As the positives decline, we expect that the active cases will drop.”
There are 66 persons under hospitalisation, with 50 of them being housed at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, East Coast Demerara. Nine persons are in the Intensive Care Unit.
Some 375 beds have been set aside for COVID-19 patients with more than 60 equipped for ICU care. An additional 15 beds were added at the New Amsterdam Hospital last weekend to cater for positive patients, inclusive of a paediatric section.
“It is a comprehensive facility that we have there and I would expect that the care that we can provide for Region Six, and some extent Region Five, the quality would go up,” the Health Minister indicated.

Samples sent to CARPHA
Over the weekend, samples were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genomic sequencing. These results are expected within two to three weeks. Clinically, authorities are convinced that there was a conversion from the Delta to Omicron variant between December to February.
“These samples would confirm whether what we’ve seen clinically is true,” the Minister noted.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect February 28, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your 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 needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)