Region 4 woman is Guyana’s 176th COVID-19 death

…53 new cases recorded

The Health Ministry on Saturday reported another death from the novel coronavirus in Guyana, which raised the total deaths to 176.
The latest fatality is a 53-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who died while receiving care at a medical facility on Friday.
Prior to this, the last death was reported on Wednesday after a 65-year-old male from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) succumbed while receiving treatment.

New cases
As of Saturday, there were 53 new novel coronavirus cases from a total of 270 test samples.
According to the Ministry’s dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 7581 – 3920 males and 3661 females. The data showed that 6570 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus – 29 of which were reported on Saturday.
There are 835 active cases: five in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 774 in home isolation and 56 in institutional isolation. Some 19 persons are also in institutional quarantine.
A breakdown of the new cases showed: two were detected seven in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara);36 cases in Region Four; one on Region Five; one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); six in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The figures for Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) – remains at 1004, 233 and 409 respectively.
Government has tightened security at the border regions after COVID-19 variants were detected in Brazil. For this, it announced on Friday that all flights to and from the country are prohibited.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony indicated during the coronavirus update that officials are seeking to acquire more information about the virus before reopening. In the past weeks, the P.1 and P.2 variants were detected in Brazil, causing Guyana to cease all border travel.
The public has been informed that there is limited trade between the two countries on Thursdays but throughout the week, border patrols are closely monitoring for persons illegally entering Guyana. The Minister contended that other countries have already restricted flights to and from Brazil, fearing transmission of the new variants.
This week, inmates and prison officers across the penitentiaries were placed into isolation after testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A few days ago, there were over 30 positives at the Timehri Prison. Four prison officers and one inmate at the New Amsterdam Prison were also positive. At Lusignan, there are also a few cases.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need 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
Persons with comorbidities have been asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of persons is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19. (G12)