Guyana gets 34,000 J&J vaccines, more Sputnik 2nd jabs

…Pfizer jabs to arrive today
…3 more COVID deaths, 36 new cases reported

Guyana has received a consignment of 34,000 US-manufactured Johnson and Johnson vaccines, which will be rolled out across the regions in the current vaccination campaign.

The Guyana Government had made a down payment for the acquisition of 150,000 single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine under a partnership agreement between the African Union and the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
Speaking on the arrival of these jabs, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated, “It took us a while to get all the elements sorted out but I’m pleased to say that by today, we would be getting those vaccines. We will be able to roll it out into various communities.”
Government had said that the vaccines, which have an efficacy of about 66.3 per cent, would be used in hinterland and remote locations across the country to immunise persons. This is since the ultra-cold chain requirements in other vaccines posed a challenge.
Meanwhile, the country also received a shipment of 5000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V component two vaccines, which arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). This will be used to immunise persons that are awaiting their second jabs and have almost expended the 12 weeks’ timeline.
Today, the much-anticipated Pfizer jabs are expected to land at the CJIA. A donation from the US Government, these jabs will be used in the immunisation of students 12 years and above. This will allow for the safe reopening of schools.
Since the start of the vaccination campaign, first dose uptake stands at 301,368 or 58.7 per cent of the adult population. Second doses are at 153,840 or 30 per cent.

New deaths and cases
As of Monday, a total of three persons died from the virus, raising the monthly death toll to 51 and an overall death toll to 597 to date.
The latest deaths are a 71-year-old man from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) who died on August 22; a 75-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on August 21; and a 63-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) who died on August 19.
Nineteen persons are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There are 100 persons in institutional isolation, 1247 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.
The country has seen 22,409 recoveries. Meanwhile, Guyana has tested 254,847 persons thus far, with 11,825 males and 12,547 females reportedly positive.
A breakdown showed that one new case was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), six in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 25 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
There were no increases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
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 us at www.health.gov.gy
Persons with comorbidities have been asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.