Two new COVID-19 deaths have been reported as more new cases are being detected in Guyana.
The Health Ministry on Tuesday revealed that a resident of Region One (Barima-Waini) who had been working as a miner in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has died from COVID-19 at the Bartica Regional Hospital. According to the Ministry, the 32-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with suspected malaria but was later swabbed and tested for COVID-19 after it was revealed that he had contact with other possible cases at his work site. He died at around 12:00h on Tuesday while receiving medical treatment.
73-year-old Wilfred James
Alarmingly, the man’s death came as the third COVID-19-related fatality in three days. In fact, just on Monday, 87-year-old Aaron Peters of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), died from the dreadful disease.
Peter’s death was followed by 73-year-old Wilfred James of Kuru Kururu, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, after battling with the virus in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Berbician escapes
Meanwhile, two persons from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have been tested positive for the deadly virus. One out of the two, a 35-year-old man of Number 76 Village, Corentyne, has since gone into hiding after he was informed by the Health Ministry that he was positive.
Guyana Times was informed that the man had recently returned on a repatriation flight from the United States of America and presented a report that showed that his COVID-19 test was negative. He was nonetheless retested and sent home. However, after his results showed that he tested positive for the virus, authorities went to the address he supplied at the airport but he could not be found.
Police are now on the hunt for him.
Further, a resident of East Canje, Berbice, has tested positive in Georgetown. This publication understands that the woman was reportedly hospitalised at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for some time now displaying signs of COVID-19.
After the woman’s health began deteriorating, she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where a COVID-19 test was administered to her. The results came back as positive on Monday.
Emergency measures
Members of the public are encouraged to observe the COVID-19 emergency measures #8 published in the Official Gazette on August 14, 2020, which emphasise the need to practice physical distancing at least 6ft apart, use a facemask correctly and consistently when leaving their homes and practice good hand washing hygiene to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Health Ministry expressed its condolences to the family of the three persons and has offered to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to assist the families to deal with the situation.
Closure
Meanwhile, the National Insurance Scheme has announced that its Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) office will remain closed until further notice as was advised by the COVID-19 Task Force. According to NIS, this closure is as a result of members of staff contracting COVID-19.
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers 231 1166, 226 7480, or 180/181 for assistance.
