…declining trend in new cases seen – Health Minister
Guyana’s latest death from the novel coronavirus is a 66-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), who was unvaccinated against the deadly disease.
She died on February 7, moving the country’s death count up to 1182.
Only 16 new infections were reported, one of the lowest numbers in recent time, moving the confirmed cases since March 2020 to 61,616.
There are 17 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 111 in institutional isolation, 5242 in home isolation and 24 in institutional quarantine. From 5495 active positives in the country, 99 are hospitalised across COVID facilities – with 69 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Of the 28,423 males and 33,193 females that tested positive, 55,064 have recovered completely. Guyana has conducted 517,815 tests for the virus to date.
A breakdown showed one new case in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), five in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The data showed no increases in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
On Monday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony identified, “We’ve seen a declining trend of new cases and I guess by the end of the week, you’ll see this 5495 drop further as less people are getting infected and more people are getting discharged”.
Speaking on the Operation COVI-CURB campaign, he said work continues to educate the population on the importance of national public health measures in place: mask wearing, sanitisation and social distancing.
“These measures help to reduce transmission of the disease. The Army, Police and other agencies have been helping us to inform the population and secondly, to enforce some of these rules so that people can comply with them.”
The prevalence of complacency, he noted, has increased in recent time. Businesses that initially exhibited vigilance have taken on a relaxed approach and are flouting the measures.
“If we relax these measures now, we are still going to see transmission and therefore, this is not some people doing the right now and some being able to violate the rules. We have to take a conscious decision that all of us are going to be involved to make sure that we can protect ourselves and the population. If all of us do the right thing, then the population would be protected,” the health official cautioned.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2022. 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 needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)
