Streak of no new COVID-19 cases continues for 5th day

Guyana is beginning to witness a positive trend in its COVID-19 curve, after no new cases were reported for the fifth day. For now, positive cases remain at 153.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle revealed on Friday that no new cases have been reported since Sunday. This means that the total number of cases remains at 153, while the number of deaths is at 12.
Dr Gordon-Boyle has said that another 32 samples were tested, and to date, the total number of persons tested is 1,752, with 1,599 returning negative.
Some 77 recoveries were recorded, she said, with 64 active cases being in institutional isolation, three patients in the COVID ICU, and 14 persons in institutional quarantine.
The DCMO reminded that if this trend continues and all guidelines are followed, the country would be on its way to flatten the curve completely. As such, she has asked citizens not to become complacent.

Cannot be complacent
“Even though there has been no new case over the past five days, we cannot become complacent. If we keep this up, following all guidelines, we will be on our way to limiting transmission and flattening the curve, making the return to normalcy sooner than later. I exhort you, therefore, to do the appropriate thing and let us together defy the coronavirus disease,” she requested.
According to Dr Gordon-Boyle, Residents of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have an increased vulnerability to the virus, given the increased cases in Venezuela.
Village leaders have been asked to refuse persons entry into their communities if those persons have crossed the borders.
“We are calling on the toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not cross borders, and that persons from those other countries are not entering your community. Community members, (you) must report any migrant entering your community, and anyone who has signs and symptoms; and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” she pleaded.
Persons experiencing symptoms or those who had had contact with a positive case can call the hotline; make contact with the health facility nearest, or visit one of the COVID-19 facilities.
Global figures have reached alarming heights, with 6,416,828 cases and 382,867 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases is 3,022,824 with 168,553 deaths.

Depleted blood reserves
With blood drives having been cancelled, the DCMO has informed that the reserves are depleted. She pleaded with donors to visit the blood bank or other supplementary centres where they can contribute to saving lives.
“The need for blood donations from voluntary donors will remain throughout the pandemic. There is a need to continually replenish the blood supply and ensure its availability for our patients. Most blood drives are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 measures, and so our supply is depleted,” she explained.
Guyana will, on June 14, join the world in celebration of Blood Donor Day.