Guyana records 79 new COVID-19 cases in 24h

– spike recorded in Regions 2 & 10

Guyana has recorded 79 new COVID-19 cases during a 24-hour period, thus taking the total to a whopping 5811.
Of the 79 cases, 22 are from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and a similar number from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
Statistics provided by the Health Ministry showed that the number of deaths remained at 154. As it stands, some 3002 males have contracted the virus compared to 2809 females. However, the Ministry confirmed that only 732 cases were active.
There are six persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) along with 42 persons in institutional isolation, 684 in home isolation and 26 in institutional quarantine. The total recovered cases moved to 4925.
Of the remaining new cases, 11 were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); five in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); nine in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); and two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Other regions did not see an increase in cases – which stood at 415 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 182 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 389 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The latest deaths from the virus were reported on Monday, after a 34-year-old woman succumbed on Sunday. She was from Region Four and died at a medical facility while receiving treatment.
Earlier on Sunday, it was announced that two men – an 81-year-old from Region Seven and a 55-year-old from Region One also died after contracting the virus.
This week, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that Guyana has already commenced making submissions to COVAX as part of arrangements to secure COVID-19 vaccines.
Guyana has been identified as one of the countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), that will ensure there is equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines when they become available on the market.
The United Kingdom is preparing to administer the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech this weekend, according to reports. The vaccine, which had undergone a gauntlet of clinical trials and is said to be 95 per cent effective against the coronavirus, is a two-dose injection.
Meanwhile, Pfizer/BioNTech, along with Moderna, which has also developed a coronavirus vaccine with a 94.1 per cent efficacy, has filed for US emergency regulatory approval.
The WHO; UNICEF; Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) and other partners are currently working together to help prepare countries to be ready to introduce the COVID-19 vaccines, which are likely to become available for distribution in early to mid-2021. The WHO said that adaptable guidance, tools, training, and advocacy materials are being developed to support countries in their preparations.