An unvaccinated 18-year-old lad has died from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday.
According to information provided, the lad, who hailed from Region Three, is recorded as the 1024th person to die from the virus in Guyana.
In one day, a total of 50 new positives emerged, taking the confirmed cases in Guyana to 38,618.
There are 10 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 43 in institutional isolation, 757 in home isolation, and four in institutional quarantine. In total, 36,784 persons have completely recovered from the virus. Since onset of the pandemic, 406,797 tests have been conducted.
From a breakdown of the new positives, one new infection was reported in Region One (Barima-Waini), one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 30 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), nine in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 19 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). There has been no increase in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Recent data shows that 406,748 adults, or 79.3 per cent of that demographic, have received a first vaccine dose, while second doses are pegged at 287,362 adults, or 56 per cent of that demographic. For the 12-to-17-year age cohort, 29,807 persons, or 40.9 per cent of that demographic, have been immunised with a first dose. Of this number, 21,045 persons, or 28.9 per cent, have been fully immunised.
Meanwhile, 6,425 booster doses have been administered.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday said, “The big challenge right now is to get these numbers up as high as possible. There are basically two ways of getting to herd immunity. Either everybody gets sick and you develop some immunity to the virus; but if you go that route, we’ll have a lot of people getting severely ill, and you will also have persons dying. This is something that we want to avoid, so we want to give people protection without giving them the disease. To do so, the best way of doing so is giving them a vaccine.”
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO.24), which are in effect until December 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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 us at www.health.gov.gy (G12)
