Home Affairs Minister joins Region 10 in COVID-19 sensitisation exercise

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn joined health professionals in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) over the weekend for a mask distribution and COVID-19 sensitisation exercise, as the number of cases continues to rise in the Region. Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Gregory Harris on Monday noted that so far, 326 persons have been tested in the Region with 123 confirmed cases, 2 deaths, 26 active cases, 96 recoveries, 8 in home isolation, 16 in institutional isolation, 18 in home quarantine and 3 in institutional quarantine.
The active cases are derived from Wismar, which has seven cases; Wisroc – six cases; Amelia’s Ward, three; West Watooka, two; Nottinghamshire, two; Mackenzie, two; Kwakwani, two and Christianburg, two.
The exercises were conducted on both the Wismar and Mackenzie shores in Linden on Friday, Saturday and Sunday where masks, flyers and educational information were distributed to residents. Dr Harris said the exercise, which was supported by Central Government through the representation of the Home Affairs Minister, was well received by residents of Linden.
“I must say it was well-received. They would have responded well – the general public. So I would like to encourage them to continue to basically observe these COVID guidelines which is to wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain the social distance,” he related.
Additionally, the Region has adopted a slogan – “Go hard, beat COVID” under which a campaign is soon to be launched. The RHO said the campaign is also expected to support the Health Ministry’s vision to curb the spread of the virus.
“Basically, due to the rise in COVID cases within Region 10, we have decided that we need to sensitise the public…a lot of persons are taking a ‘laidback’ approach. So, for that we would have decided that we would have a ‘fan out’ exercise,” he indicated.
Dr Harris said measures will also be put in place at Kwakwani to assist with testing and contact tracing for COVID- 19.
“We’re sending up a team in Kwakwani tomorrow (Tuesday) to do a refresher training for the staff… and to assist them with contact tracing because they have 2 cases now. So we want to build some more capacity and to make sure the response team is strong,” Dr Harris said.