Guyana records 7 new COVID-19 cases from 74 tests

– active cases now stand at 295

Guyana has recorded seven new novel coronavirus cases from 74 tests that were conducted during a 24-hour period.
According to new statistics released by the Health Ministry on Sunday, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana is 6358 – 3286 males and 3072 females.
But only 295 of these are currently active cases. These include three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the other 292 persons in isolation, that is, nine persons in institutional isolation and the remaining 283 persons in home isolation.
Additionally, there are also 17 persons in institutional quarantine.
The COVID-19 death toll remains at 164 with the last fatalities recorded on December 26, 2020, when a 53-year-old male and a 74-year-old woman, both of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) died.
Meanwhile, the total number of persons recovered from the life-threatening disease has increased to 5899 – five more than the figure reported the previous day.
To date, Guyana has tested some 38,622 persons for the novel coronavirus.
Of the seven new cases recorded on Sunday, two are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), another two from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the remaining two cases from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The figures remained the same in the other six regions.
Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positive cases, especially asymptomatic ones, are detected. This has resulted in a high number of cases being detected.
Nevertheless, Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 13), which are in effect until January 31, 2021.
This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In fact, during a recent COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony reminded citizens that these are unusual times and so they should not act as normal.
“We are living through a pandemic with a virus that is easily transmittable, and therefore we have to take precautions [to protect ourselves as well as others],” Dr Anthony noted.
The Health Minister further reminded that there is still a 10:30 pm to 4:00 am curfew in place and that certain businesses such as bars, should not be open for operations.
“I do hope that the relevant businesses and other entities take note of this because if they go and have parties and all of this, and the Police come in then they will be in breach of the law, and therefore they will be prosecuted,” he warned.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Sunday, some 83,322,449 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 1,831,412 deaths.
The World Health Organisation also reported on Sunday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 36,337,439 while deaths have gone up to 872,486.