Guyana’s active COVID-19 cases surpass 300

With coronavirus positives rising again in Guyana, the active cases are also taking a hike. Twelve new infections were reported as of Monday, with confirmed cases moving up to 63,861.
In the Health Ministry’s dashboard, there are 305 persons in isolation, three in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 10 in institutional isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Active cases have surged past the 300 mark.
An analysis shows new cases dispersed among three regions, with two in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and nine in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Meanwhile, the death toll has not increased in weeks, having remained at 1228. A total of 62,315 persons have since recovered. The recovery rate is approximately 97.5 per cent in Guyana, from the 29,395 males and 34,466 females that have tested positive.
In Guyana, most recent vaccination figures indicate that 441,071 first doses and 340,572 second doses were distributed to adults. This is approximately 86 per cent and 66.4 per cent respectively. For children aged 12 to 17, 25,355 or 34.7 per cent are completely vaccinated. Booster coverage is 63,574.
The spread of the Omicron strain and its subvariants are still continuing across several countries.
Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have been detected in more than a dozen countries, said the World Health Organisation. The two appear to be more contagious, officials have confirmed. Another Omicron subvariant called BA.2.12.1 has been detected in 23 countries.
WHO’s technical lead on COVID, Maria Van Kerkhove has urged governments across the world to closely monitor BA.2.12.1, BA.4, BA.5 and other subvariants that could emerge in the future. She has also stressed on the need to continue COVID testing and sequencing.
With suspicion that the Omicron subvariant BA.2 might be in circulation locally, Guyanese authorities had signalled plans to send samples for gene sequencing. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony identified this as a likely reason for the recent rise in positives during a briefing last week. Currently, the country does not possess the resources to conduct its own sequencing, but relies on agencies such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
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.
Global figures show that almost 517.6 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.2 million have died. In the Americas, more than 154.2 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths. (G12)