Guyana records 4 more COVID fatalities, death toll now 636

− 161 new infections recorded in 24h

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll moved to 636 as of Friday after four more persons died while receiving medical treatment.
The latest fatalities are a 90-year-old male and a 66-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 67-year-old male from Region Three who died on September 2. On September 3, a 79-year-old female also succumbed. Thus far, 11 persons have died from the deadly virus in September.
However, new statistics provided by the Ministry of Health showed that 161 new cases were recorded in one day with the total confirmed cases in the country moving 26,112 – 12,614 males and 13,498 females.
There are 33 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 1892 in home isolation, 118 in institutional isolation and five in institutional quarantine. The data showed that 23,433 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 273,103 have been tested.
A breakdown showed six new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini); 27 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 24 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 100 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no increases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Nevertheless, the rollout of vaccines for the adolescent population has so far started in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
A total of 6020 persons between the ages of 12 and 17 have been inoculated. Just Thursday, 1658 jabs were delivered.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated, “We’re also, at the same time, training the staff within the region to be able to administer the vaccine. The first two weeks, it’s both doing vaccination and a learning process for the staff within the region because we have staff that went up centrally to train and as well as supervise the vaccination. A lot of the staff that has now been trained will be able to roll out that independently. We will see much more uptake as the weeks go by.”
Mobile units will visit schools to boost the vaccination rates, and once children from these institutions are vaccinated, classrooms will reopen. Dr Anthony said the response at sites has been tremendous, and more parents have been urged to consider the jab for their children.
“So far, a lot of parents have been bringing their children out to get vaccinated. I think that’s a good thing. I want to really encourage more parents to do that because we want to vaccinate children so that they can return to school safely.”
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
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.