Decide between cemetery or your family – Health Director to “reckless” men

…no new COVID-19 cases recorded

On Wednesday, the Public Health Ministry reported that there were no new COVID-19 cases recorded in the last 24 hours since Tuesday’s update, but noted that while males remain the most at-risk group, they were not adhering to the guidelines in place.

The latest COVID-19 update was done by Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, who revealed that the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Guyana remains at 125 – the same as Tuesday.
However, there were 26 more persons were tested for the novel coronavirus within the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of persons tested

to 1295 of which 1170 are negative.
Additionally, the number of COVID-19

deaths in Guyana remains at 10, while there are three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Meanwhile, 68 active cases are in institutional isolation, while another six are in quarantine.
The number of persons recovered from the life-threatening disease has increased by one to 47.
According to Dr Hamilton, men continue to be the most at-risk group.
She underscored the importance of family and loved ones in Guyanese society, and questioned why the males would deliberately jeopardise those persons’ health and put them at unnecessary risk of contracting the virus because of their “reckless behaviour”.
“Most of you are acting as if COVID-19 cannot touch you, that you are beyond its reach and that the health guidelines are a waste of time.”
The Primary Health Care Services Director further pointed out that this is the time that men must put that pride aside and exercise wise judgement to protect themselves and their families.
“I know many of you are macho and perhaps think that wearing a mask makes you seem less of a man, but there are times when you must put that pride aside and exercise wise judgement. This is the time, because COVID-19 is a silent killer and complying with the control measures is of paramount importance if your family is to be safe,” she implored.
According to the Ministry’s records, the ratio of males to females positively confirmed with the disease is significantly skewed. In fact, as of Wednesday that ratio was 71:54, while eight of the 10 victims who have died are males. Further, the age group under the lens is between 16 and 59.
“So, my dear males, I am sure that you want to be around to hug and kiss your loved ones at home rather than be six feet under the ground in a cemetery somewhere. COVID-19 will mash you up and break up that same home circle in which you find comfort. So, don’t wear the mask on your chins, don’t sit way up under your friend, give him some space; physical distancing is a must and get off the streets before 6pm. Home is the best and safest place. Stay home,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, Dr Hamilton reiterated that residents in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remained vulnerable and should ensure their safety against COVID-19, especially since the virus is ravaging neighbouring Brazil.
The Portuguese-speaking nation is now the country with the third-highest number of confirmed novel coronavirus infections in the world, having recorded more than 250,000 cases with a daily death toll of over 1000.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday evening, the total number of COVID-19 cases globally is 4,731,458 with 318,789 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases are 2,105,670 and the death toll is 125,843 – with Brazil being the epicentre in the region.