Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll rises to 180

– 86-year-old male from Region 4 latest victim

The Health Minister on Friday reported that another person who tested positive for COVID-19 succumbed while receiving medical attention at a facility. The victim is an 86-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). His demise has now taken to the death toll to 180.
He is the fourth person to have died from the virus for the month of February.
On Thursday, a 73-year-old male from Region One (Barima-Waini) and a 54-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who both tested positive, died.
On Monday, a 58-year-old female, also from Region Four, died while seeking medical treatment.
However, the World Health Organisation’s latest statistics showed that there are 2,271,180 deaths as of Friday. Consequently, the agency has cautioned that COVID-19 is often more severe in people who are 60 years of age or older.
The severity also increases in people with conditions such as lung or heart disease, diabetes or conditions that affect their immune system.?
People who are considered at higher risk are asked to make sure all vaccinations are up to date, have sufficient medication and food supplies in stock; as well as have limited contact outside of the household. According to the WHO, most people suffering from the coronavirus experience mild symptoms to moderate illness. Some 10 to 15 per cent of the cases progress to a severe disease and five per cent become critically ill.
“For some people, some symptoms may linger or recur for weeks or months following initial recovery. This can also happen in people with mild disease. People are not infectious to others during this time. Some patients develop medical complications that may have lasting health effects.”
The Organisation pointed out that there are many reports whereby patients do not regain their previous state of wellbeing after recovering. Risk factors for the persistence of symptoms can vary from high blood pressure, obesity or mental health conditions. However, it indicated that more research and time is needed to understand the long-term effects, why symptoms recur and the likelihood of full recovery.
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has posited that there is enough bed capacity for persons who require normal hospitalisation or intensive care. Government had secured a field hospital from the Qatari Government – additional resources which will be made available soon.
On Thursday, he also spoke on contact tracing when positives are detected as he noted, “We have our central team at the surveillance department who is responsible for all contact tracing and in every region of Guyana, the regional task force comprising of the RHO and his team are required to do contact tracing. So, we have a comprehensive network of persons who are doing contact tracing.”
Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of speech or movement. (G12)