Region 3 woman latest COVID-19 death

…44 new cases, death toll now 986

The Health Ministry on Saturday announced that there has been another local death from COVID-19, which increased the death toll to 986.
The latest fatality is a 69-year-old man from Region Three, who died on November 26 while receiving care at a medical facility. She was fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, there were 44 new cases in one day. From the 37,707 total confirmed cases since March 2020, 17,762 are males and the remaining 19,945 are females.
There are 16 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 65 in institutional isolation, 1399 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. For now, there are 35,341 recovered cases while active infections have dropped to 1480.
Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among six regions, with two in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 25 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) remain constant.
This week, it was revealed that over 4760 children contracted the novel coronavirus since March 2020.
Almost 400,000 adults or 78 per cent have taken their first dose of a COVID vaccine. Only 275,000 have returned for a second jab, indicating that over 100,000 are still outstanding.
Addressing this gap, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Friday said, “That indeed is a challenge. Some of it, we can attribute to when the person got their first dose and when they should come back to get their second dose. But a lot of it is people who would have already received their first dose but they have not shown up back for their second dose. That’s worrying because if you’re partially vaccinated, you’re not going to get the benefits of the vaccine.”
A breakdown has shown that Region Four is leading the immunisation campaign with 87.4 per cent first dose coverage. Region One comes at 82.7 per cent first doses, Region Six at 76.9 per cent, Region Five at 76.8 per cent, Region Nine at 75.1 per cent, Region Seven at 74.9 per cent and Region Three at 74.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, Regions Two, Eight and 10 continue to lag behind at 64 per cent, 49.7 per cent and 37.5 per cent.
“There are [areas] in Region Eight where people are very, very hesitant and in some areas, entire communities have refused to be vaccinated,” said the Minister.
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
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. (G12)