Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 cases

…figures now stand at 33 cases, 5 deaths
…men from Mahdia, Linden with symptoms rushed to GPHC

The number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana continues to rise with two more new cases recorded on Tuesday, bringing the country’s total number up to 33 cases.
This was revealed by caretaker Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence during the Ministry’s daily update on Tuesday. She noted too that there were currently four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where one of them was critical.
While the number of confirmed cases has increased, the number of COVID-19 deaths in Guyana remains at five.
Deryck Jaisingh, called “Mad Dog”, a drag racer of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was the latest victim to succumb to the deadly virus. He died on Monday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Jaisingh had recently returned from neighbouring Brazil and was counted as an imported COVID-19 case. His wife, son and brother are currently quarantined.
Guyana recorded its first case of coronavirus on March 11 following the death of a 52-year-old woman who had returned to Guyana from New York. She was considered an imported case and is referred to as ‘patient zero’. The other three deaths were recorded within two days last week.
Jaisingh’s death is the fifth recorded from the deadly virus in the country.
Meanwhile, the total number of persons tested thus far is 133, with 33 positive (inclusive of the five deaths) and 99 negative.
Lawrence went on to reveal that the number of persons in isolation has risen to 24 with one from Region One (Barima-Waini); four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 17 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and one each from Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
There are now 38 persons in quarantine, including: two from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 10 from Region Three; 22 from Region Four; three from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and one from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
It was reported on Monday that eight of the persons who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus have since recovered after a period of isolation and medical treatment. Follow-up tests came back negative.

Men rushed to GPHC
Moreover, there are two suspected cases which have been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
According to reports, a 60-year-old miner, of B Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, who operates at North Fork Backdam, Konawaruk, Region Eight, turned up at the Mahdia Public Hospital on Monday with persistent coughing and difficulty breathing.
According to Region Eight Police Commander Ramesh Ashram, on Tuesday morning, the man was awaiting medevac to Georgetown.
Meanwhile, another patient also visited the Linden Hospital Complex in Mackenzie, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Monday, with several respiratory symptoms. After his condition worsened and several tests were conducted on him, the Hospital decided to have the patient transferred to Georgetown where a higher level of care would be urgently administered.
While dealing with the patient, the Hospital ensured that all measures were taken to protect the attending staff. In fact, acting Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Joseph London, who met with several of the staff, said that the Hospital has taken a more aggressive role in addressing several issues and concerns that staff and members of the public have regarding the infectious disease.
He said that the Hospital’s management was cognisant that persons were tense and/or fearful and as such, they continued to reassure staff about their well-being, while ensuring that all standard operating procedures were followed.
He urged members of the public to stay away from rumours, warning that they have the potential to create undue panic. “I am urging persons, including healthcare professionals, to stay away from disseminating and/or sharing rumours as it will not work in the best interest of all. We are in a major medical period where people will panic at anything and we must remain responsible in how we share and/or disseminate information,” Dr London urged.

Adhere to guidelines
With the number of both confirmed cases and deaths rising in Guyana, Lawrence, during her update on Tuesday, pleaded with Guyanese to adhere to the various advice and guidelines released by the Ministry in order to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“We can stop the transmission and reduce the deaths if you follow the guidelines that we continue to provide daily. I wish also to repeat that you will not escape the coronavirus disease if you continue to operate as if you don’t care. COVID-19 is real, Friends, and it’s a killer, so help us to help you stay alive. If you don’t adhere, it is very likely that you will contract this disease and you may probably die,” she cautioned.
Nevertheless, the Minister pointed out that the 12-hour curfew will remain in effect until May 4, 2020. But this, she warned, would be based on how Guyanese respond now to the pandemic, which has been devastating countries and major cities around the world.
If the situation in Guyana worsens, it is likely that the curfew would be extended.