Robust education campaign in Region 5 results in low COVID-19 cases

Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) embarked on a robust education campaign ever since the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Guyana in March 2020. This has resulted in low positive cases.
This is according to Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, who, according to the Department of Public Information on Tuesday, said that the region quickly established a task force comprising the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the public knew how to protect themselves.
“We have had a number of meetings with the Police, Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mahaica Mahaicony Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) among others, to carry out a number of programmes to sensitise the public,” Ramphal said.
Since the reopening of the country, the task force makes daily checks at restaurants and bars to ensure they are observing the gazetted measures outlined by the Health Ministry, the Chairman added, noting that this initiative is enforced by the region’s Police, who are responsible for maintaining the curfew and other guidelines. He lauded the Police officers’ commitment to the Administration’s goal of preventing transmission of the disease. To date, Region Five has recorded the lowest number of COVID-19 positive cases, with 102 as of Tuesday. Ramphal also said the region has conducted several outreaches at identified hotspots such as the Rose Hall and Bath markets, and Bush Lot and Mahaicony communities.
“We have also had several mask distribution drives across this region, amounting to thousands of masks being distributed to the elderly, youth and vulnerable groups … we even provide PPE to the citizens,” Ramphal is quoted as saying.
Recently, a spike in COVID-19 cases was reported in Moraikobai. To combat this, the region implemented its educational programme and this, coupled with the Health Ministry’s quick response team, saw a reduction in cases, the Chairman added.
“We also had the Police presence in the community. As for now, the situation remains stable and so I want to encourage everyone to take the necessary precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Ramphal said. Mass testing was also conducted at the Bath Market Square, the Rose Hall Market and other areas in December 2020.