The Public Health Ministry has reported that no new cases were recorded for the third consecutive day this week as the country’s confirmed cases remain at 153.
During the daily coronavirus disease (COVID-19) update on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle disclosed that of the 27 new tests done, there were no positive results.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen Boyle
Like the country’s COVID-19 cases, the death toll also remains unchanged since Sunday – at 12.
To date, the total number of persons tested is 1699, of which 1546 returned negative results.
There are currently two patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease is 70.
Meanwhile, 71 active cases are in institutional isolation and another 25 persons in institutional quarantine.
The DCMO used the opportunity to explain the difference between these two facilities.
Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region 10, Dr Pansy Armstrong
“…isolation and quarantine facilities are not the same. Everyone who receives a positive test result will be placed in isolation. Persons in quarantine are those persons who were in very close contact with someone who tested positive, persons returning to Guyana, and someone who is a suspected case awaiting results to confirm his/her status. The duration of someone’s stay in isolation is not fixed; it depends on how fast the body fights off the virus. All persons in isolation are cleared after having two negative tests 24 hours apart,” she stated.
Dr Gordon-Boyle went on to urge the public to refrain from discriminating against recovered COVID-19 patients.
“Persons who are cleared and allowed to go home are not infectious, which simply means that they cannot transmit the virus to anyone else, because the virus is no longer active in their body. With that, we ask that you show some compassion to your brothers and sisters who have recovered from this disease. Their journey was not an easy one and they need your support,” she stressed.
Region 10’s new case
Meanwhile, as health authorities tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, focus continues to be placed at the regional level with emphasis on preparedness and response to the virus.
As of Wednesday, seven of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions have recorded COVID-19 cases. These include Regions One (Barima-Waini); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
In fact, Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region 10, Dr Pansy Armstrong disclosed that another new case was recorded.
This new case, which is among the country’s 153 total, now brings the Region’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 10, with one death in early April.
Of the existing cases, there were two more recoveries which take the Region’s recovered cases up to three.
At a recent meeting at the level of the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) of Region 10, grave concerns were expressed over the public’s lack of fully understanding the dangers posed by the disease. Several members, including the RHEC Head Orrin Gordon demanded that there be increased stringent measures to combat the situation.
“We must understand that the curfew-related measures are not permanent and it must be adhered to irrespective of who it is,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s daily COVID-19 update, the RHO of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Dr Afarah Khan disclosed that they have introduced a strong screening system across different areas in the Region, including the Supenaam ferry, Government buildings and all health facilities across the Region.
With Region Two, along with Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), not having recorded any coronavirus cases thus far, Dr Khan, who is also the Co-Chair of the Region’s RHEC, credited this to the combined efforts of all stakeholders within the Region.
“My final appeal is for all the residents of the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region to take all measures as a form of preventing any situation in our Region,” she implored.
Region Two’s efforts were lauded by Dr Gordon-Boyle, who noted that it was evident with adherence to the guidelines put forward by the Ministry, the ability to contain this disease was possible.
