Infectious Diseases Centre to be converted into isolation facility – President

…70 COVID-19 cases detected

Health officials have recorded another 70 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, which increased the total number of positives to 846. 
On Wednesday, 39 cases were recorded – adding to an accumulated figure of 776. Thursday’s statistics were made available via the daily dashboard, which showed that there are still 29 deaths. A gender distribution shows that 421 males and 425 females contracted the virus.
Six new persons were transferred to the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), amounting to eight patients. Notwithstanding, another eight persons were removed from institutional quarantine, decreasing the numbers to 47.
There are 333 persons in home insolation and 77 in institutional isolation. Recovered cases have increased by 18 and now stands at 399.
Meanwhile, a breakdown of the regional contraction rate proved that 124 positives were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), eight in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 44 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 248 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), eight in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 174 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 11 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 169 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 59 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The new cases originated from Regions One, Three, Four, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10. From Sunday to Thursday, 137 new cases were reported with seven new deaths.

Isolation facility
Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali during his address to the nation on Wednesday announced that the controversial Infectious Disease Hospital at Lilliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD), will be outfitted to serve as an isolation facility as Guyana continues to battle the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“In dealing with issues of isolation, the Ministry would convert the inoperable Infectious Disease Centre to an isolation facility. To this end, arrangements are being made to have a facility that caters for 150 patients requiring isolation,” the President announced.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma has completed an audit into the controversial rehabilitation of the COVID-19 facility. The audit commenced just after the new Government took office earlier this month. The audit came after it was revealed that some $1.6 billion was spent by the former Government to refurbish the facility.
The former Granger Government embarked on transforming the flood-prone building into a facility to house COVID-19 patients amidst much criticisms, especially since the Government was in caretaker mode.
In fact, the former Director General under the APNU/AFC coalition, Joseph Harmon, had stated that the Government had acquired the Ocean View Hotel property through a compulsory order and it was officially commissioned on July 30 by caretaker President David Granger – two days before an election declaration was made and Dr Irfaan Ali of the PPP/C was sworn in as President. But even at the time of its commissioning, the hospital was nonfunctional. At the commissioning, Granger claimed the facility was in receivership.
Back in 2008, the ownership of the Ocean View Hotel had passed to local businessman Jacob Rambarran. In the run-up to the 2015 elections, Rambarran had endorsed the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition. However, a few days after the PPP/C took office, Wilfred Rambarran contended that he is the owner of the property and demanded millions of dollars in rent.
The letter, dated August 6, was sent to Attorney General Anil Nandlall and the Health Minister by Rambarran’s attorney, R Satram of the Chambers of Satram and Satram.
Rambarran, who is a known APNU/AFC associate, claimed that though the previous Government issued a Notice of Compulsory Acquisition for the former Ocean View Hotel, it is of no effect because compensation has not been discussed or paid.
Rambarran is claiming that the then Government never engaged in negotiations to purchase the hotel. The proprietor has informed the new Government that the property is valued at more than $2 billion, and he is demanding payment of all arrears of rent due in 14 days. An investigation is underway into the matter. (G12)