….in the food poisoning saga in East Berbice
THE five people, three men and two women, whom Police in Berbice had taken into custody after a group of more than 100 persons fell ill after partaking of a meal during a ceremony organized by the  East Berbice Community Policing Groups, have been released. The detainees, who were reportedly responsible for the preparation of the meals, were released on Monday, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Steve Merai, who heads the `B’ Division, told the Guyana Chronicle.
He noted, though, that the investigation is still ongoing and that the suspected tainted food which caused 41 persons to be admitted to the New Amsterdam and Georgetown Hospitals, has been sent to the analyst for testing to determine what was responsible for the persons falling ill.
Shortly after consuming the meal, 103 persons, including media workers and four police officers, began complaining of feeling unwell, some with vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarroeha, all food poison-related symptoms.
Investigators said that just over 100 of the 350 persons fell ill after consuming the food around 13:00hrs. The food, according to the police, was prepared by members of the community policing body.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who was the guest speaker at the function, and other senior regional functionaries even though they also ate, were not affected as their meals were reportedly prepared separately.
He has since ordered a full investigation into the incident.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Beri Ramsaran, told the Chronicle on Monday that those affected had responded well to the treatment and were sent home.
The Chronicle, however, learnt that some victims had suffered a relapse and had to seek further medical attention.
According to Dr Ramsaran, a total of 103 persons were seen at the institution at New Amsterdam, following the incident.