Spike in COVID-19 cases in Region 7 worries health authorities

The rise in COVID-19 cases in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is taking its toll, creating worry among health officials that the situation will become more widespread.

Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr Ertinesa Hamilton disclosed on Friday that they are worried since there is higher traffic between the mining communities and the coastland.
“The Ministry remains concerned about the increased cases seen, especially in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) taking into consideration that the mining communities have a lot of traffic. With this movement, we can have a wider spread of this disease so we urge residents to follow the guidelines provided,” Dr Hamilton voiced.
After a significant increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week, no new cases were detected on Friday.
The Director revealed that the statistics remain at 127 cases, while deaths are still 10. Some 37 new tests were conducted, adding to a total of 1366 COVID-19 tests thus far. Out of these, 1239 would have returned negative.
In the designated facilities, there are 60 active cases in institutional isolation and three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Guyana has recorded 57 recoveries since the detection of its first case.
With no new cases in one day, she urged Guyanese “not to get excited” but instead, continue following the social distancing guidelines while wearing masks.
In yet another briefing, men were targeted as they continue to disobey these protective measures. Senior Gender Affairs Officer at the Social Protection Ministry, Diego Alfonso indicated that these persons should look at the statistics and reconsider their practices. The ratio stands at 73 males to 54 females in the coronavirus bracket. Of the 10 deaths, eight were males. These men are between 16 and 59 years old.
“Let’s pay heed to what the facts and figures are telling us, that more males are contracting COVID-19 even more. Let’s remember that COVID-19 is no respecter for gender or anyone for that matter…As a matter of fact, we as men are more vulnerable to contracting the virus because of the nature of what we are involved in daily,” Alphonso highlighted.
Further, he reiterated that lives are put at risk when people disregard hygienic practices. As it is, males are put at an additional risk due to their daily interaction and the activities they engage in for a daily income.
The officer advised, “Wearing a mask correctly, physical distancing and regular handwashing does not make us less macho or less of a man. As a matter of fact, it demonstrates that we are responsible men and we are being excellent role models to those observing us.”
Globally, there are 4,893,186 cases with 323,256 deaths. In the Americas, 2,166,003 cases were reported with 128,649 deaths.