Guyana records over 60,800 recoveries from COVID-19

…1 death, 19 new cases detected in 24 hours

Of the 62,798 persons who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) locally, some 60,811 have recovered completely. This figure was released by the Health Ministry on Thursday.
The Ministry has also revealed that 19 new cases were detected within a 24-hour period. In addition, a 62-year-old man from Region Four died from the virus on Wednesday, thus taking the death toll to 1,216.
From the statistics, a breakdown shows that 28,911 men and 33,887 women had contracted the virus in Guyana thus far. There are seven persons in the Intensive Care Unit, 52 in institutional isolation, 712 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine.
From the 864 active cases, 343 are in Region Four, with the remainder being dispersed across the other regions. This includes 54 hospitalised cases, 39 of which are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
From the time the pandemic was first detected in Guyana, 536,412 swabs have been processed for the virus.
Further analysis of new cases shows one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); eight in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
In giving some more insight into COVID-19 and mental health, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said on Thursday, “We have to be careful even after infection, how this disease continues to affect persons. As we’ve said in the past, what is now being discovered is that the virus can get into your brain and areas of the brain that (control) emotions and so forth, and can disrupt those functions. That’s why it is important that we take the measures to prevent getting infected. Mental health issues are just one of the consequences.”
In terms of vaccination, 431,296 adults, or 84.1 per cent of that demographic, have received a first dose vaccine, while 326,375 adults, or 63.6 per cent of that demographic, have returned for their second shot. In the adolescent age group, 24,104 adolescents, or 33 per cent of that demographic, are fully vaccinated. Booster doses stand at 49,517.
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.
Persons with comorbidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to, since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
Comorbid conditions can range from cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, HIV, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell anemia, tuberculosis, solid organ transplant patients, smokers, or those with substance use disorder.
In the Americas, in which Guyana is included, 146 million infections have been recorded, with deaths surpassing 2.6 million. Globally, 428 million infections and 5.9 million deaths have been reported.