Region 4 man is 198th COVID-19 fatality

…31 new cases recorded

There are now 198 deaths from the coronavirus in Guyana, after a 54-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) succumbed on Tuesday.
The Health Ministry informed that the man tested positive and was receiving care at a medical facility when he died.
Additionally, some 31 new COVID-19 positive cases were detected from 703 samples. As a result, the confirmed cases only climbed to 8626. From this number, the gender breakdown is 4448 males and 4178 females. Of this amount, 8024 persons have recovered and as such there are 405 active cases.
There are six patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 28 persons in institutional isolation, 371 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine.
There were nine new cases in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 18 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) remains at 1020; 234; 463; 245 and 652 respectively.

Database for vaccination
In keeping with its mandate to vaccinate the elderly after frontline workers, the Health Ministry will be utilising the pension database to reach these persons.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared during Tuesday’s coronavirus update that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has a comprehensive database to pull the names of all elderly persons who are eligible for the vaccine administration.
There are also plans to reach out to homes in order to access persons who cannot venture out to get their shots. The age range is currently pegged at 60 years and older but this threshold will be lowered once there are enough vaccines.
“It’s going to be done throughout Guyana because I think the Ministry of Social Services have a very comprehensive database. It is through that database that pensions are being paid. So, they cover quite a lot of people. We are going to be using that. We’re also going to be taking the vaccines to the homes of the elderly. Wherever those homes exist, we’re going to go there as well. They’re captive audience so we’ll be able to complete them very quickly,” Dr Anthony indicated.
This week, Guyana is receiving 100,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines. While 20,000 vaccines arrived on Tuesday night, another 80,000 will be delivered later this week. The country is also awaiting 104,000 doses from the COVAX mechanism, also slated to arrive in March.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 15), which are in effect until March 31, 2021. This order emphasises 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 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If persons are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a positive person, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.