Guyana records 3 more COVID-19 deaths, 40 new cases

The Health Minister on Sunday has reported that three more persons who contacted the Coronavirus has succumbed thus taking the death toll to 146.
The latest fatalities are two men, a 29-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni), an 89-year-old man from Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne), and a 88-year-old female of Region Ten (Upper-Demerara Berbice) These persons died while receiving care at our medical facility.
Guyana Times understands that the latest victims succumbed after testing positive for the virus.
The country also saw an increase of 40 new cases during a 24-hour period, raising the total confirmed cases to 5133. These comprise 2666 males and 2467 females.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Sunday related that seven persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 78 in institutional quarantine, 886 in home isolation and 57 in institutional quarantine. The number of recovered cases has also moved up to 4019.
With the new cases, a regional breakdown shows nine persons contracting the virus in Region One (Barima-Waini); 12 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); five in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 12 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in East Berbice-Corentyne; two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The cases in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 38 and 376 respectively.
On Friday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted that a large proportion of the active cases have recovered. However, the ICU patients remain a concern.
“Our rate of recovery has been quite good. Our challenge really is that a small percentage of people, about 20 per cent or so, who require hospitalisation. Then a smaller per cent, maybe four per cent, require ICU care. Those who require ICU, we’re providing that care, but those are very critical patients,” he explained.
The Infectious Diseases Hospital will have adequate space to handle critical patients, after the final piece of equipment is installed. The authorities were expecting to transfer patients this week, but this has been deferred by a few days. Nevertheless, other parts of the hospital are already in use.
“Everything else is operational. There is just one piece of equipment that we had a little difficulty with, so we’re getting that sorted out. A major part of the hospital is in use. This section that we’re talking about, it’s for critical patients and [we] want to ensure that everything that is needed for those patients are in place before we move anybody in there,” Dr Anthony shared.
Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures (No 10), which are in effect until November 31, 2020. This order emphasises, among other things, 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 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.