Guyana gets US$475,000 to fight COVID-19

– humanitarian aid as with sanctioned Venezuela

Guyana will benefit from close to G$100 million from the United States Government to aid in the local fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been devastating countries around the world.
This was revealed by the US Embassy in Georgetown on Thursday as a mean of keeping in line with the US policy of providing humanitarian aid to countries that are even under sanctions as in Venezuela’s case.
On Thursday, Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo in an address on Thursday stated that the US is continuing to apply pressure on the Maduro regime as it seeks to provide humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people.
Nevertheless, according to the foreign mission in Guyana, the funding is “to help address Guyana’s priority areas of laboratory diagnostics and systems strengthening and supplies, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and emergency operation centres.”
The funds are part of a regional funding package of US$3 million, under the US Caribbean Resiliency Partnership, provided to support the current COVID-19 pandemic response.
The US’ Regional Caribbean Office of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be coordinating with the Public Health Ministry and its regional partners to disburse these funds rapidly and implement the activities.
Only on Wednesday, it was revealed that Guyana would be benefiting from funds provided by the European Union to the Caribbean. These include nine million euros each to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Additionally, the EU Delegation here in Georgetown this week will be donating personal computers and smartphones to the Deaf Association of Guyana and the Guyana Society for the Blind to aid the organisations in their communication needs especially during this period when movement and regular daily activities are restricted.
Meanwhile, Guyana is also expecting donations of medical supplies from the Chinese Government and is also seeking to divert development funds to the tune of US$1 million from the Indian Government towards its fight against the novel coronavirus, which has killed seven persons in Guyana and infected more than 60 others.
As Guyana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to climb, caretaker Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, during her COVID-19 update on Wednesday, pointed out that the capital, Georgetown has been identified as the epicentre of the deadly virus.
“I am sure that you are noting the steady increase in our COVID-19 confirmed cases as well as the number of persons who have died as a result of the coronavirus disease. I cannot emphasise enough that your daily behaviour is the key to whether we can flatten the curve and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our country or we allow the pattern to continue,” she posited.
During Wednesday’s update, however, the figures provided showed no changes in the number of tests conducted over a 24-hour period.
According to the Public Health Ministry’s daily dashboard on Wednesday, the total number of persons tested for the novel coronavirus to date in Guyana was 348, of which 67 were positive and the remaining 281 were negative – the same figures given on Tuesday.
On Monday, the number of tests conducted were 328. Only last week, Guyana recorded more than 18 new cases.
Meanwhile, this situation of no new tests comes even as the PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne called for accelerated and expanded testing for COVID-19 in countries of the Americas.
During a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, Dr Etienne said there was need for a clearer view of where the virus was circulating and how many people have been infected in order to guide actions.
“The pandemic continues to impact our region, and it’s vital for all countries to actively embrace preventive measures, while preparing for more cases, hospitalisations and deaths,” she noted.
According to the PAHO Director, countries in the Region have been prepared to test and detect cases of COVID-19 since before the pandemic was declared. She added that they have also provided more than 500,000 PCR tests to 34 countries and territories, and have worked with other countries to track and support their capacity.
An additional 1.5 million PCR tests are being dispatched throughout the Region this week, “followed by another three million next week to strengthen laboratory surveillance networks in our member states”, Dr Etienne stated.
To date, Guyana has received 1800 testing kits from PAHO and the Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow disclosed last week that 7000 more were expected.