…confirmed cases climb to 73
Guyana recorded another COVID-19 death after a 45-year-old man succumbed while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This increases the number of deaths to eight. Lennox Williams died at about 14:45h on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). 
Caretaker Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence on Friday afternoon confirmed that Williams was receiving treatment at GPHC. However, he suffered other complications.
Meanwhile, three new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed, raising the figures to 73 as the country grapples to flatten the curve.
During the daily COVID-19 update, caretaker Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence indicated that 410 persons have been tested. Five persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 17 in institutional quarantine and 54 in isolation, while 12 have recovered.
The Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has reported for the period under review – March 16 – some 793 persons have been in home quarantine.
“To date, 596 persons have completed their 14 days quarantine and they were cleared by the Health Emergency Operations Centre and 197 persons continue to be monitored.”
Other measures
Lawrence indicated that other measures will be implemented shortly, after concerns about the worrying upward trends in Central and South America. On Monday the Ministry will launch mobile units at the East La Penitence Health Centre.
Over at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, and Paradise, East Coast Demerara, health facilities will begin to provide services from 09:00h to 15:00h. They are said to be partnering with private institutions to provide medical supplies for “sample collection for inpatients and outpatients who may present with signs or symptoms to their facilities”.
Across all administrative regions, both public and private non-health workers will also be screened. It was admitted that Guyana’s mortality rate is almost four times higher than that presented by the World Health Organisation.
“As these units are put in place, I urge you to make use of this opportunity; utilise our services and help us to flatten the curve and contain this disease. One infection and even one death is one too many because seven deaths out of 73 cases represent 9.6 per cent which is still much higher than the death rate of COVID-19 presented by WHO that stands at 2-4 per cent,” the caretaker Minister added.
It was indicated that ‘standalone’ facilities should be outfitted at this time for COVID-19 patients. Presently, there are persons who tested positive for COVID-19 who might require other medical services. These include pregnant mothers; persons requiring emergency surgery; or those suffering from dialysis, malaria and other conditions.
Implications for diabetic patients
In fact, Guyana Diabetic Association President, Glenyss Beaton would have appeared on the live update, stating that there are concerns from patients about the risk factors after contracting COVID-19.
“As a diabetic, I am deeply concerned after learning that the coronavirus disease affects persons like myself and that we are at risk of developing the most complicated form of this disease and even dying. From my knowledge and personal experience, many diabetics have a weakened immune system which makes them prone to contracting many other diseases including COVID-19,” Beaton relayed.
Infections in diabetic patients can cause blood sugar to increase and remain at that level. In other cases, the blood sugar is reduced, resulting in a diabetic coma that can result in death.
The condition of persons suffering from kidney or nerve damage and cardiac problems can worsen after contracting the disease. For this, these persons are asked to stay at home and follow all hygiene recommendations.
Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, has been identified as the epicentre. According to the World Health Organisation, there are 2,544,792 confirmed cases worldwide with 175,694 deaths.
