Guyana records 73rd COVID-19-related death, 44 new cases

The Health Ministry late Thursday evening confirmed that a 64-year-old man of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and a 94-year-old woman of Region 1 (Barima-Waini) have succumbed to COVID-19 thus taking the death toll to 73.
According to the Ministry, the man died about 11:00h on Thursday while receiving care at its medical facility. The test sample was collected from the now-deceased man at the time of admission and tested positive for COVID-19 subsequently. The number of persons contracting the coronavirus is continuing to rise drastically with another 44 cases recorded in 24 hours, thus bringing the total to a whopping 2579.
According to the Health Ministry’s dashboard on Thursday, 12,753 persons have been tested for the virus and the number of persons who have recovered was 1483. No information was provided on the patients who were institutionalised or in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The Ministry’s regional breakdown showed that four new cases were detected in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 40 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and three in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The figures in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) saw no increases, with positive cases remaining at 405, 28, 14, 34, 277, 340 and 96 respectively.
On Wednesday, the Ministry announced that two persons succumbed to the novel coronavirus disease. They were a 70-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 66-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini).
On Tuesday evening, Guyana recorded its youngest fatality. The 25-year-old man was the country’s 69th COVID death. Officials of the Ministry have contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance for everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead persons.
Guyana has recorded seven deaths from the novel coronavirus thus far this week. The week began with the COVID-19 death toll at 65.
The Health Ministry continues to urge all Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 9) which are in effect until September 30, 2020. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of face masks when leaving home; the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Persons displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or in need of any additional information are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday that the Region continued to carry the highest burden of COVID-19 globally, accounting for over 38 per cent of all new cases reported in the past seven days, although the Region has reported a 22 per cent decrease in new deaths.
This marked decrease in the number of deaths in the Region, according to WHO, has been driven mainly by a decrease in Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia in the past seven days, while the United States of America and Brazil continue to report the highest number of deaths, each reporting more than 5000 new deaths in the past week. (G8)