Only 10% of population took booster shot – Health Minister

…18 new cases in 24h

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Monday revealed that less than 10 per cent of the country’s population have taken their booster doses – months after the country started its rollout.
In November 2021, Guyana began to administer booster doses to its population in an effort to protect them from COVID-19. This is since studies found immunity to wane as time progresses. Included in the 10 per cent are both adults and children; accounting for 50,373 doses.
In Guyana, the vaccination figures show that 423,024 or 84.2 per cent of the adult population have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Only 327,775 or 63.9 per cent have received two doses.
For persons aged 12 to 17, 33,529 or 46 per cent have received the first dose while 24,202 or 33.2 per cent are completely vaccinated.

New cases
However, within a 24-hour period, a total of 18 new cases were detected, taking the confirmed cases in Guyana to 62,921. Deaths remain at 1220.
There are eight patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 32 in institutional isolation, 441 in home isolation, and nine in institutional quarantine. In total, 61,219 persons recovered completely. During the pandemic, 539,596 tests were conducted.
From a breakdown, one new infection was reported in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 13 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
There were no increases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.
Persons with comorbidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of person is at greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
Comorbid conditions can range from cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, HIV, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell anaemia, tuberculosis, solid organ transplant patients, smokers or those with substance use disorder.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy