Guyana’s active COVID-19 cases drop to 277

…7 new cases reported

Active coronavirus cases in Guyana have plunged in just a few weeks, with only 277 reported infections being monitored across the administrative regions.
The active positives follow a breakdown of 143 in Region Four, 21 in Region Eight, 20 in Region Two and 18 in Region One.
On Monday, the Health Ministry only reported seven new COVID-19 cases, which added to 63,062 confirmed cases to date. Deaths have remained at 1223.
Along with five patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 14 persons are in institutional isolation, 206 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Recoveries are at 61,607 while 545,873 tests have been processed. Of the 19 hospitalised cases, 18 are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
An analysis of Monday’s dashboard showed that from the new infections, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), three in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
In his COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony reminded that testing is still available at public sites but implied that persons have not been presenting themselves to be swabbed.
“Tests are available across the country at our public facilities and we offer different types of testing. We do the antigen testing using the rapid kits and they are in every region…In addition to that, we are doing PCR and at the National Reference Lab, we can do up to 2000 PCR test per day. People requiring such test to be done can come into one of our testing sites and we’ll take the sample,” he highlighted.
In January, the Ministry changed its policy after it was found that persons were “abusing” the PCR testing service offered by the Ministry. Persons wanting to travel were getting their tests done in the public sector and not for diagnosis purposes. This remains unchanged whereby for travel, tests should be done in the Private Sector.

Vaccination
Meanwhile, vaccination statistics indicate that 434,037 adults or 84.6 per cent have taken their first dose; when compared to 330,729 or 64.5 per cent second dose coverage.
In the 12 to 17 age group, 33,703 or 46.2 per cent took their first doses but 24,433 or 33.5 per cent have taken their second shot.
Booster doses account 52,688 jabs – spanning 1080 in Region One; 2539 in Region Two; 7317 in Region Three; 26,262 in Region Four; 3282 in Region Five; 8690 in Region Six; 566 in Region Seven; 427 in Region Eight; 1947 in Region Nine; and 578 in Region 10.
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.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy
Globally, almost 445 million people have tested positive for the virus and almost six million have died. In the Americas, more than 148 confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.64 million deaths. (G12)