Guyana battles with 2700 active COVID-19 cases

…as 240 new infections detected, 2 more deaths

With growing infections from the coronavirus disease on a daily basis, Guyana’s active cases now stand at 2709 after another 240 persons tested positive during a 24-hour period.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony made this disclosure during Thursday’s coronavirus briefing.
“This trend is going to go up if people are not taking precautions and because what we keep seeing now is a surge as I keep saying over the last couple of weeks. We were anticipating this because with a new, more contagious variant, we are going to see more cases, especially if people are going to be complacent,” he outlined.
With the death of two more persons as a result of the life-threatening COVID-19, Guyana’s death toll has now reached a startling 659. The fatalities were a 69-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman – both of whom resided in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They succumbed on September 8 while receiving medical treatment at a medical facility.
With the 240 new cases, Guyana’s positives have jumped to 27,301. There are 36 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 128 in institutional isolation, 2504 in home isolation and nine in institutional quarantine. In total, 23,974 persons recovered completely.
Since the pandemic started, 282,525 individuals have been tested – of which 13,126 males and 14,175 females were positive.
An analysis showed 14 new cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 54 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 154 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); four in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Region One (Barima-Waini) did not increase.
Hotspots now range from Tuschen, Region Three to Diamond, Grove, Kitty, Sophia and Mon Repos in Region Four; and Bartica in Region Seven. Positives have also been on the rise in Santa Mission.
“These are some of the places where we have seen a rapid increase in cases. Again, it is not only here. In every single region, we have active cases. So, people must take those precautions and we’re urging people to get vaccinated, because vaccination would help to reduce your chances of going into the hospital with a severe form of COVID,” said the Minister.
He noted that Operation COVI-CURB continues to visit these high-risk areas, providing sensitisation to residents and other persons.
“I think there shouldn’t be anybody in the country now who doesn’t understand about COVID-19. We have done so much work, but people are so complacent. They know they have to wear a mask. They don’t. Even if they do have a mask, they wear it under their chin. If you have it under your chin, what protection are you getting?” he questioned.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 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 emphasises: the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene.