The number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana has risen to 127, with the confirmation of two new cases on Thursday.
Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertinesa Hamilton
This was announced during the Public Health Ministry’s daily update by Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertinesa Hamilton, who shared that both of the new cases are men.
To date, a total of 1329 tests were conducted with the total number of negative cases being 1202. There are currently 57 persons who have recovered, 60 active cases in institutional isolation and three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 deaths remains at 10.
However, concerns were raised about the increased cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-
Mazaruni). As of Thursday, Region One reported two confirmed cases while Region Seven had seven.
Men’s Health Coordinator, Dr Dennis Bassier lamented the poor health-seeking behaviour being demonstrated by men in Guyana, as they continue to top the chart for the most infections. This has been reiterated on many platforms.
“As the world continues to fight against the novel coronavirus which has now been commonly known as COVID-19, Guyana is no exception. For our relatively small population, we have seen an alarming rise in the number of cases with the majority being men,” he highlighted.
The ratio stands at 73 males to 54 females in the coronavirus bracket. Of the 10 deaths, eight were males. These men are between 16 and 59 years old. The Coordinator pointed out that these men put their entire families at risk by engaging in such behaviour.
“This clearly indicates that persons are not taking note of and putting into practice, the strict guidelines for the prevention of transmission of COVID-19. It is the general understanding that men have poor health-seeking behaviour. This is further emphasized by the current situation…Lots of males that have been positively diagnosed are not single. As a result of this, their partners and their children have to be tested, due to them being exposed. There is no shame in wearing a facemask, in practising social distancing or even constantly sanitising your hands,” Dr Bassier said.
According to Dr Hamilton on Wednesday, men continue to be the most at-risk group. She underscored the importance of family and loved ones in Guyanese society, and questioned why the males would deliberately jeopardise these persons’ health and put them at unnecessary risk of contracting the virus because of their “reckless behaviour”.
“Most of you are acting as if COVID-19 cannot touch you, that you are beyond its reach and that the health guidelines are a waste of time,” she pointed out.
The Primary Health Care Services Director further pointed out that this was the time that men must put pride aside and exercise wise judgement to protect themselves and their families.
“I know many of you are macho and perhaps think that wearing a mask makes you seem less of a man, but there are times when you must put that pride aside and exercise wise judgement. This is the time, because COVID-19 is a silent killer and complying with the control measures is of paramount importance if your family is to be safe,” she implored.
Globally, there are 4,789,205 cases with 318,789 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases stands at 2,105,670 with 125,843 deaths.
