…over 3800 children infected since March 2020
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to persist, and has now claimed an alarming 570 lives since the detection of patient zero back in March last year.
A 75-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is the latest to succumb after she was seeking medical attention at one of the designated facilities. For the month of August, a total of 21 persons have died after testing positive for the novel disease.
With the new death toll were 100 new cases, raising total confirmed cases to 23,344. Among the 861 active cases are 14 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 86 in institutional isolation and 781 in home isolation. Another five are in institutional quarantine. 
A breakdown of positives showed two new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), three in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 13 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 65 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), seven in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), three in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases did not increase in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
On Friday, it was announced by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony that some 3815 of the positive cases reported in Guyana were persons under 18. This data was collected since March 11, 2020.
“For persons under the age of 18 who would have been infected with COVID, we’ve had 3815 persons. This is both male and female and I think it’s quite a number. However, most of these cases would have been mild and many of them did not require hospitalisation. That, however, can change because we have a new variant that is circulating. That variant is in more than 142 countries according to the WHO. That’s the Delta variant,” informed the Health Minister.
In Guyana, 282,586 persons have taken a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This represents 58 per cent of the adult population. Meanwhile, some 146,500 or 30.1 per cent are completely immunised.
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.
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.
As of this month, dining is only permitted for vaccinated persons, with the exception of children. Patrons must have in their possession, an official identification document in addition to their vaccination card.
In order to transport members of the public, the gazetted document stipulates that every operator and conductor of any public transportation service shall be vaccinated and have in their possession, an official identification document and their vaccination card.
Meanwhile, casinos, betting shops and cinemas have been given the greenlight to operate but only at forty per cent capacity of the building or seating area. Patrons will only be allowed entry upon possession of a vaccination card to show their immunisation status.
Travel requirements have also been modified, where travellers must provide a negative PCR test and a vaccine card. (G12)
