Unvaccinated 84-year-old man dies from COVID

…44 new cases detected in 24h

The Health Ministry on Thursday reported that an unvaccinated 84-year-old man who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died. This recent death takes the death toll to 1026.
The patient was admitted with COVID-19-like symptoms, and died on December 15, while receiving care at a medical institution. He hailed from Region One.
New statistics provided by the Ministry have shown that 44 new cases were detected in one day, thus taking the confirmed cases to 38,728, of which 18,265 are males and 20,463 are females.
There are 11 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 685 in home isolation, 44 in institutional isolation, and two in institutional quarantine.
The data shows that 36,962 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus, while 409,154 tests have been conducted.
A breakdown of the new cases showed that three were reported in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 10 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 24 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
There were no increases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The latest vaccination figures show that some 407,341 persons, or 79.4 per cent of the adult population, have received a first dose vaccine, while 288,315 persons, or 56.2 per cent of those 18 years and older, are fully immunised.
Regarding adolescents, some 29,865 persons, or 40.9 per cent of adolescents, have received their first dose, while 21,107 persons, or 28.9 per cent of the 12-to-17 age cohort, are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the Government started administering booster shots last month, after studies around the world show that the efficacy of the vaccines wanes after six months of receiving both doses. So far, over 7000 booster shots have been administered to the adult population.
The Health Ministry had reported that persons who took the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines can use Pfizer as the booster shot; while those who receive Sputnik V would get a Johnson and Johnson dose as a booster, and those with Sinopharm would get another shot of that jab as a booster.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (#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-foot 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