Guyana records 44 new COVID-19 cases

–1063 active cases; 16 in ICU

As of Tuesday, a total of 44 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in Guyana, which has now taken the total number of persons infected by the virus to 3565.
This was released in the Health Ministry’s daily dashboard, which showed the death toll at 106.
The deaths increased on Monday night, following the deaths of two more persons – a 62-year-old male and a 47-year-old female, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Of the total cases, 1896 males and 1669 females have contracted the virus thus far – 1063 of which remain active. A total of 16 patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
There are currently 132 persons in institutional isolation, after 14 persons were admitted. With regards to home isolation, 16 persons were removed, which left the total figure at 876. Another 19 persons were removed from institutional quarantine, leaving the number at 39.
To date, 44 recoveries have added to the total recovered number of 2435 patients.
A breakdown of positive cases would have shown that 29 new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 13 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
The other figures remained constant with 56 cases Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 24 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 54 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 330 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 107 in Region Eight (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 367 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 123 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
As of October 1, the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 10) were published, outlining a change in the countrywide curfew to 9 pm to 4 am to allow certain businesses to operate for a longer period. For example, gas stations, salons and supermarkets can now close at 20:00h.
Government has reiterated that this is not an opportunity for persons to party or socialise, but simply to enable citizens to conduct their transactions. Farmers and fishermen are now benefitting from increased timing to ply their trades. Businesses who flout the measures will be given a warning and on the second violation, they will be asked to close their doors indefinitely.
“We have not relaxed or reduced the measures for anyone to go out there and party and socialise and feel more relaxed. There’s a simple reason why we did it so people could conduct their activities whether it be work, place of business, farming and get home to their families…This [is] serious business and if you want to stay alive, now is the time to stop partying, wear the mask and encourage those around you,” Prime Minister Mark Phillips had indicated.
Gyms and bars are among the services to remain closed. Meanwhile, there are special measures for Regions Seven and Nine, inclusive of restricted travel.
The Ministry explained that these new measures were made following a rapid assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country.