Health Minister renews call for children, vulnerable people to take vaccines, boosters

…17 new infections detected in one day

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday reiterated the need for older persons and children to get protected against COVID-19, as vaccination numbers continue to lag.
It was highlighted that the current strain of COVID presents as a milder form of the virus, with only severely ill patients being hospitalised. In this regard, Dr Anthony cautioned persons with comorbidities and the older age group to get their vaccines and booster doses.
“The current strain that is circulating, most people do not get a severe form of the infection. Those that we’ve seen that are coming into the hospital are basically older people with comorbidities. In many instances, they have not been vaccinated or maybe they haven’t taken their booster.”
“There are people with various health vulnerabilities and these vulnerabilities include age, and other illnesses. If you fall within that category, it is advisable that you make sure that you have your boosters,” the Health Minister shared.
As of now, vaccination numbers are relatively low. He expressed that these numbers need to improve, especially in the five to 11 age group. Schools are reopened for the new academic year, and the health official advised that vaccination will add a layer of protection.
However, on Tuesday, new statistics released by the Ministry showed that 17 new cases were reported within a 24-hour period. The death toll remains at 1281.
There are 114 active COVID-19 cases that are being monitored while six persons are hospitalised, with one in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
There are five persons in institutional isolation, 108 in home isolation, and one in institutional quarantine.
“These are persons who tested at our facilities and it is an underestimate of how many infections we have in the country. A lot of people may have flu-like symptoms but if they don’t test, we cannot confirm that they have COVID. Even If they test and don’t report it, then we don’t have those numbers,” the Health Minister pointed out.
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) figures, some 609 million confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6.5 million deaths.
In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 177 million while the death toll in the Region has gone up to 2.8 million.
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.
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.