Region 7 records highest COVID-19 deaths per capita with 18 in every 10,000

…Region 4 records highest number of deaths

The threat of COVID-19 spiralling out of control in Guyana is ever more present, since there has been a steady rise in the number of fatalities along with recorded cases. Thus far, 738 persons have died from the virus, and 29,824 persons have testing positive.
According to the 2012 census, Guyana’s population is 746,955, and based on the current trend, 400 persons in every 10,000 would contract COVID, while 10 persons in every 10,000 would die from the virus.
A calculation of the regional deaths per capita shows that Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), with population of 18,375, has the highest, with 18 deaths per 10,000 residents. This is followed by Region One (Barima-Waini), with a population of 27,643 and a record of 15 deaths in every 10,000.
Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) has a death per capita of 13 per every 10,000 and a population of 39,992. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which has both the largest population and death toll – 311,563 and 367 respectively – records 12 deaths in every 10,000 persons.
Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), with a population of 46,810, records 5 deaths in every 10,000. Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has the second largest population with 107,785 residents and a death rate of 9 in every 10,000. Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), with a population of 49,820, has a death rate of 7. Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has 109,652 residents and 6 deaths are recorded in every 10,000; and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), with both the smallest number of residents and death toll, records 5 deaths in every 10,000 when compared with its 11,077 residents.
Additionally, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), with 24,238 residents, records 9 deaths in every 10,000.
Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is leading that tally with both the highest number of recorded deaths as well as persons testing positive. Based on the numbers compiled by Guyana Times, 367 persons residing in the Demerara-Mahaica Region have succumbed to the virus. Additionally, the Ministry of Health’s numbers indicate that 14,215 of the residents in Region Four have received a positive COVID-19 test.
Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) is following Region Four with 98 deaths recorded since the first case was discovered in the country.
Meanwhile, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) has recorded the lowest number of fatalities, with just 5 in the last 18 months.
Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case and death in March 2020, and according to the numbers, thus far, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded 41 deaths; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) 24; Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica) 36; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) 62; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) 33; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) 21; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) 51.
New York-based Guyanese 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall is considered Guyana’s Patient Zero after she posthumously tested positive for COVID-19 back in March 2020. She died on March 11. Baboolall was making her annual Phagwah visit to Guyana when she took ill and subsequently passed away at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Her COVID-19 confirmation cemented the fact that no country is immune to the disease and there need to be preparatory and preventative measures to tackle the spread of the pandemic.
Following Ratna’s death, her immediate family members were tested for the virus, and it was confirmed that her husband, two sons, and granddaughter were infected.
A few days later, 38-year-old Jermaine Ifill, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at a healthcare centre in Kitty, Georgetown, died from the virus. Ifill reportedly complained of feeling unwell, and subsequently tested positive for the virus. This newspaper was told that before being placed in the ICU, he was in the male ward at the medical facility.
Prior to his death, the medical professional had cautioned the hospital to enact precautions to ensure people were kept safe. This was also directed at the Ministry via his social media account.
As the number of positive cases rose along with more deaths being recorded, Guyana began placing more emphasis on creating a plan to combat the spread of the virus. Borders were closed, movement was restricted, and more measures were introduced mandating masks, social distancing, as well putting a cap on social activities; but the numbers continued growing.
A look at the number of deaths recorded since March 2020 paints a dark picture for Guyana. In March 2020, Guyana recorded two deaths, being Patient Zero and EMT Ifill. That number jumped to seven in April of 2020. Then began a fluctuation in the numbers, with three in May, one in June, eight in July, and 20 in August.
September 2020 saw 41 persons dying, and October proved to be the deadliest month of 2020, with 44 COVID-19 deaths. November saw a decline to 25 deaths, and 13 was the number that ended off the year.
The beginning of 2021 saw a steady rise in the number of deaths, with 12 in January, 19 in February. March – one year after the country recorded its first case and fatality – saw 36 deaths, and April recorded 65.
May proved to be one of the deadliest months, with 95 deaths being recorded. June followed closely with 82 fatalities. The number dropped in July with 72 deaths, but again increased in August with 79.
However, September is proving to be the deadliest of all months, with 113 being recorded in just 21 days.
The country continues to grapple with the effect of the novel coronavirus, with very little control as more variants of the virus are being discovered.