– no deaths recorded, 55 new cases detected
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said Government is examining whether it will be procuring any of the two anti-viral COVID-19 pills which have been recently developed.
Paxlovid, developed by Pfizer, and Molnupiravir, by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, have proven to significantly reduce both hospitalisations and deaths.
“We’re looking at the pills. There are two right now that have recently been spoken about…Both of these pills are yet to receive Emergency Use Authorisation by the FDA and the United States. However, Molnupiravir have been granted Emergency Use Authorisation in the UK so we’re looking at how these pills have been licensed and ultimately to see whether or not we would be able to source some of these tablets to come to Guyana,” the Minister explained.
The Minister sought to explain that the pills work to interrupt the life cycle of the virus by hampering its replication. The enzymes can produce enough errors to render it incapable of infecting people.
“Both of these drugs, what we know is that you can use it for five days and it’s really giving it to people who would have been infected with COVID-19 and because of the risk factors that they have, we expect them to progress to get hospitalised and even get the worse form of COVID. If we analyse that risk and know that they’re going to progress, it is good to start them on these medications,” he added.
Nevertheless, the Minister reported that a total of 261,811 adults, or 51 per cent of the targeted adult population, have been fully vaccinated thus signalling that Guyana is inching towards herd immunity.
In addition to the percentage of people fully vaccinated, the Minster reported that 391,521 adults or 76.3 per cent of the population, have received at least one COVID-19 dose.
On this note, he gave a breakdown of the vaccination exercise in each region.
Region One (Barima-Waini): 43.2 per cent
Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam): 41.6 per cent
Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara): 48.9 per cent
Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica): 58.5 per cent
Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice): 51.9 per cent
Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne): 49.8 per cent
Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni): 46.9 per cent
Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni): 34.8 per cent
Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo): 53.4 per cent
Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice): 22.3 per cent
New cases
As of Monday, there were no increases in the country’s death toll, which is 959. In one day, an additional 55 persons tested positive, leading confirmed cases to 36,872.
There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 56 in institutional isolation, 2244 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic, 372,785 individuals were tested – of which 17,376 males and 19,496 females contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases showed one for Region One (Barima-Waini); 11 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 23 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 13 for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and nine for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no increases for Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
There are 28 active cases in Region One, 90 in Region Two, 1014 in Region Three, 765 in Region Four, 69 in Region Five, 266 in Region Six, 34 in Region Seven, 21 in Region Eight, five in Region Nine and 120 in Region 10.
Latest adult vaccination statistics show 391,521 persons or 76.5 per cent first dose coverage; with 251,811 or 51 per cent second dose uptake.
In light of concerns about unvaccinated persons in the hinterland who wish to return to the coastland, the Minister said a team will be sent to vaccinate those persons in the respective village. He reminded that the Ministry would have visited almost every community in Guyana to deliver vaccines but some persons had refused.
“Unfortunately, when we visited some of these communities, people refused to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, if there is a particular problem, we’re willing to send in a team to get people vaccinated,” he noted.
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
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise 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.
