Former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, moments ago announced that Guyana recorded an additional three new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the total number of infected persons to 73.
Additionally, she reported that 410 persons have been tested so far with 337 receiving negative results. Some 12 persons have so far recovered from the virus which took 7 lives thus far. There are currently 5 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit with 17 in institutional quarantine and 54 in institutional isolation.
Lawrence reported that 793 persons were on home quarantine with 596 being cleared after the 14 days period. However, 197 persons continue to be monitored by the Public Health Ministry.
According to the WHO, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
COVID-19 is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 that had not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
The Public Health Ministry is calling on all citizens to heed the health advisories and observe the correct hygiene measures and precautions. Citizens are also asked to always practise social distancing in the workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation so as to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease.
If anyone is experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, they are asked to call the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location. The Regional Hotline numbers are Region One (Barima-Waini) – 674-8047; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) – 682-4210; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) 254-1261, 254-0313; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) – 231-1166, 226-7480, 624-6674, 624-3067; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) – 624-9000, 624-2000, 640-3000; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) – 682-3055, 668-4449; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) – 675-9131, 654-0405, 697-0656; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) – 608-7517, Region Nine (Upper Takatu – Upper Essequibo) 772-2206; and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – 444-3007, 444-6127, 444-6137.
