…as 7 more die, taking death toll to 368
Seven persons, including a 17-year-old boy, who tested positive for COVID-19 have died, thus taking the death toll to a whopping 368. With the new deaths, May is now the deadliest month, with 67 recorded deaths.
April, up to Monday, was deemed the deadliest month, with 66 persons dying due to COVID-19.
The latest victims were two women, a 63-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 53-year-old from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). They reportedly died on Saturday.
Then on Sunday, a 58-year-old female from Region Four and a 76-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) succumbed.
On Monday, three males: a 17-year-old from Region Four, a 78-year-old from Region Five and a 75-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) died.
These patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at the respective medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive.
New statistics provided by the Health Ministry on Tuesday showed that 85 new cases were detected in one day. This means the total confirmed cases in the country have now increased to 16,320.
There are 19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 94 in institutional isolation, 1783 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.
Some 14,053 of the 8115 males and 8205 females that tested positive have since recovered. Guyana has tested 147,283 persons since the virus was detected here.
An analysis of new cases showed that two cases were reported in Region One (Barima-Waini); 19 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 43 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); six in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), eight in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases remained the same in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) at 456 and 732, respectively.
Meanwhile, 187,234 persons have received their first dose of the vaccine which is equivalent to 38.5 per cent of the adult population. From this number, 58,380 are completely immunised.
This was shared by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday’s briefing. He added “We are increasing steadily, nationally and in some regions. Every region is doing better. Region 10 at one point, we were at nine per cent. That has increased marginally. We have a lot more work to be done in Region 10 and we appeal to everyone to come out and get their vaccines.”
He added that the vaccines have proven to return countries to normalcy if a significant percentage of the population is immunised. Guyana can mirror these results if people take the shots.
“These countries that have substantially immunised their population are showing that this is possible. The United States, Israel are good examples of the power of vaccination. Having seen those examples, we can do the same because the Government of Guyana has committed to procuring vaccines for everyone, every adult in Guyana. There is no excuse why you shouldn’t come and get your vaccines,” the Minister reiterated.
Today, another vaccination outreach will be done at the Guyana National Stadium commencing at 09:00h.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.
