…142 new infections detected
The current wave of COVID-19 in Guyana is raging on, claiming the lives of three more persons who would have tested positive thus bringing the toll to 1262.
According to the Health Ministry, a 55-year-old man from Region Seven died on July 7 while on July 8, a 79-year-old woman from Region Two and a 70-year-old man from Region Four succumbed. While the woman was fully vaccinated, the two males were unvaccinated.
The last reported death was announced on Friday, a 55-year-old unvaccinated man from Region Seven.
However, new statistics that were released by the Ministry showed that 142 new infections were recorded. Consequently, confirmed cases have hiked to 68,162 – a breakdown of 31,288 males and 36,874 females.
A breakdown of new positives showed an increase of five in Region One (Barima-Waini); 13 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); nine in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 78 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 14 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 14 in Region Six (East-Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 12 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
In addition, there are four patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 35 in institutional isolation, 731 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine. Recovered cases have reached 66,130 with some 665,612 samples tested for the virus thus far.
Latest vaccination figures show that so far, more than 443,000 or 86.5 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while some 343,000 or 67 per cent are fully vaccinated.
For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, over 35,000 or 48 per cent of them have received their first dose, and of that amount, some 25,600 or 35.2 per cent are fully immunised.
In the 5 to 11 age group, over 4000 children are inoculated. Administration of the second shot is now due for some persons. Moreover, approximately 68,000 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.
Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover completely, especially if they are vaccinated. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age. To prevent the disease from developing into a severe form, it is recommended that vaccines be taken, as well as follow-ups with booster shots.
This week, the Government of South Korea delivered 40,800 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to Guyana, which will be utilised to continue the Health Ministry’s robust immunisation campaign.
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 www.health.gov.gy.
Global figures show that 550 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.3 million have died. In the Americas, more than 164 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths.
