Region 1 has 69% of country’s active COVID-19 cases – DCMO

…active cases now 145, 2 new cases recorded

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle on Thursday confirmed that Region One (Barima-Waini) is currently battling with 69 per cent of the active COVID-19 cases recorded in the country.
While providing an update, she indicated that Guyana has recorded 286 cases – an increase of two from Wednesday. From this number, 46 per cent has recovered and six percent has died while receiving treatment. This leaves Region One with 69 per cent of the 145 active cases, while the remaining ratio is dispersed in other administrative regions.
Statistics show that 125 persons have recovered, and the number of deaths from COVID-19 remains at 16. However, there are still 19 persons in institutional quarantine and six persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
A current survey conducted by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) sought to assess the behavioural pattern of the population. It showed that respondents from all 10 administrative regions have indicated that the level of fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 has decreased from 81.6 per cent to 53.5 per cent over a period of four weeks.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent of respondents reported that they were unwilling to give up their daily practice and adhere to guidelines provided, and over 70 per cent indicated that they wear a mask when out in public.
Holistically, 58 per cent of persons indicated that they observe the six feet social distancing recommendation as per the guidelines, and 76 per cent of the respondents indicated that they wash or sanitise their hands frequently.
According to the DCMO, this information establishes the fact that most persons are aware of what is needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, she questioned what is preventing them from doing so.
“Fear moved from 82 per cent to 54 per cent, indicating that there may be fatigue when it comes to the public’s response to the messages concerning COVID-19. It is important that you understand that, despite the six per cent death rate, there is no prediction as to who will have a fatal case or a mild one, and therefore it is in your best interest to prevent infection in the first place,” she said to the public.
Dr Gordon-Boyle clarified that employing preventative measures is better than having to be recovering from the deadly virus, for which no cure has yet been developed.
“The majority of you are indeed observing the protocols, and so it is just for the few stragglers to join the band wagon… ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is still applicable, and more so in the case of COVID-19, (for which) there is no cure, and we are up against a new coronavirus that is constantly mutating, so let us put our COVID-19 knowledge to good use.”
In instances where persons are wearing the masks, there are some examples where persons might be using it incorrectly. The health official explained that the masks must work in conjunction with other measures to protect oneself.
“We continue to witness the misuse of the facemask, and wish to advise that wearing your mask only because it is a requirement to enter some public spaces is not the principal reason for its inclusion in our guidelines. The mask is needed for your protection as well as the protection of those around you. It helps to prevent those tiny droplets from infecting you and those around. Further, it does not work in isolation; it must be supported with practising physical distancing and handwashing,” the DCMO asserted.
According to the World Health Organization, the total number of cases is 11,669,259 with 539,906 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the number of cases is 6,004,685 with 268,828 deaths.