…as Guyana engages Russia on vaccine
…2 more deaths reported
Guyana’s death toll for the novel coronavirus on Friday increased again, after two women succumbed to the deadly disease.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony
The Health Ministry in a statement revealed an 82-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 47-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini) died after battling the virus.
Officials were tasked with contacting relatives and other persons who may have been exposed to the now dead women, to initiate contract tracing and rapid assistance.
On Wednesday, two deaths, both of which were males, were also reported by health officials. A 67-year-old of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 48-year-old of Region Four died while receiving care at the designated medical facility. Prior to this, the last death was reported on Tuesday.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday told the media that the increased deaths are primarily linked to underlying diseases. He stated that in many scenarios, these patients are initially admitted for another condition.
The rising death toll was accompanied by 15 new cases, which raised the total statistics to 1416. The dashboard showed a gender breakdown of 696 males and 720 females that have been infected thus far.
There are still 14 persons in the designated Intensive Care Unit. Meanwhile, 55 persons are in institutional isolation, 92 in institutional quarantine and 459 on home isolation. The total recovered cases stand at 779 – an increase of 65.
A breakdown of the new positives showed one new case was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), one in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and 13 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
The other regional figures remain the same with 14 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 16 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 231 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 23 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 243 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 75 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). To date, 8918 tests were conducted.
Response and challenges
Dr Anthony on Friday spoke about some of the challenges and responses which were undertaken to address all facets of the pandemic.
During a press conference on Friday, he said the country’s sample backlog, which was placed at about 1900, has been reduced to less than 1000 with assistance from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). On Monday, another 500 samples will be sent for processing.
With increased testing capacity here in Guyana, Government has taken a decision to procure automated systems to reduce processing time. These new systems, once installed, will reduce the time from nine to two hours. The National Reference Laboratory is working round the clock, with technicians on three shifts. This enables from 250 to 300 tests per day.
While the machines will be deployed in the near future, the installation of biohazard cabinets is a limiting factor since it needs to be certified by an overseas specialist. Dr Anthony stated that they are making arrangements for such to be facilitated.
It was noted that engagements were facilitated between several stakeholders, including the Russian Government, so as to ensure that Guyana benefits as soon as possible from the immunisation shots. Authorities are in talks with many agencies, to broaden the possibility of benefitting immediately.
“We want to make those calls so that we can benefit from it…It is not a commitment to buy. We want to understand the science behind it…I think it’s important that we engage early so we have many options to choose from,” the Minister assured.
The Ministry continues to enforce the COVID-19 measures, but is stymied when persons violate the orders. Dr Anthony said they are seeking to draft legislation, which will increase the fines attached to these violations. According to him, the population still needs to be educated on why they should wear a mask.
Government continues to protect the well-being of workers with adequate protective equipment, and is looking at the possibility of the risk allowance which was requested by frontline workers.
Ventilators installed
The Minister also highlighted that several ventilators were installed at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to boost capacity.
It was one area which the Ministry was facing constraints, since only four of the 12 beds were equipped with such equipment. However, through contributions from the Government of India, this challenge was fixed.
It was explained that the protocol for utilising the ventilators has also changed. Before someone is intubated, they had to meet various criteria because of the limited facilities. But now, it is available to any patient that is in need.
Minister Anthony further divulged that intensive care services will be established at all of the regional facilities, specifically for the COVID-19 response.
The Government of India gave some US$1 million in assistance this week, with the aim of improving health infrastructure and capacities in Guyana and to enable the people of Guyana to receive more COVID-19-related medical care and health services as well as procuring life-saving medical supplies and equipment.
Under this assistance, 29 ventilators, 4800 PPE-clothing coverall, 4799 masks, 4366 face shields, 70 examination gloves, and various other supplies were to be procured.(G12)
