A decision was taken to reverse the lifting of non-curfew measures in Regions Five (Demerara-Mahaica) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). This comes one day after the Public Health Ministry announced that these measures would be lifted. On Friday, the Ministry sent out a notice saying that the 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm-6 am) curfew measures remain in all administrative regions until directed otherwise.
CMO Dr Shamdeo Persaud
These were the only two coronavirus-free regions in the country, but given the surge in cases, officials opted to reinforce the measures.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud on Friday announced that there have been zero new cases of COVID-19, with the numbers remaining at 183. On Thursday, there were 12 new cases and 24 for the week thus far. Presently, deaths remain at 12. Health officials have conducted 2048 tests so far with 1865 returning negative.
Presently, 102 persons have recovered, while there are 69 cases in institutional isolation and 24 cases in Institutional quarantine. There are no patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Dr Persaud reminded that in Guyana the male population is most affected by the disease, along with Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
In their analysis, the mining community is now one of the “most vulnerable groups” for the spread of the disease.
“I wish to remind you that we are at a much higher risk because COVID-19 is rampant in our bordering countries and we have not seen a reduction but a constant increase in the number of positive cases. Residents in Region Seven, I wish to make a special appeal to you as the situation in your community is of grave concern to the Ministry,” he highlighted.
He said the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, notably Aranka, has the second-highest number of confirmed cases. The mining activities, the continuous movement of people and services in and out of the area also makes it extremely likely for the disease to spread.
As such, the health official urged, “Unless you, the residents in this area wish to see an alarming spike in the number of positive cases and even deaths, I plead with you to act responsibly. Once you are positive you must go to an isolation facility which must be manned by the relevant and competent health workers.”
For the Father’s Day weekend, the public was asked to be mindful of restrictions and safety guidelines while in the midst of their celebrations. Persons were urged to utilise virtual platforms to see their relatives and friends.
“I’m sure your burning question is how can you celebrate and not meet in groups of over five, or how can you celebrate wearing a mask? Those are relevant questions, but you have had the opportunity to acquire new skills and there are many platforms available for celebrating without being there in person. We do urge you to utilise these platforms because this is surely one way to ensure that you remain COVID free and are alive next year to celebrate once more.”
Globally, the total number of cases is 8,242,999 cases with 445,535 deaths. In the region of the Americas, there are 4,015,386 confirmed cases with 208,991 deaths.
