A REGIONAL task force led by regional health officials and consisting of officers from various agencies was formed on Thursday last in the township of Bartica.

The taskforce will guard the town against the impending threat of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, following confirmation of a case here on Wednesday.

Heading the task force is Regional Health Officer, Dr. Edward Sagala, with the support of Deputy Regional Health Officer, Dr. Julian Clementson; Bartica Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Gillian Jardine; Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford; and Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward, among others.

The Ministry of Public Health has been sensitising persons on how to protect themselves against the deadly virus.
The work of the task force will be to draft strategies for public awareness and for response protocols for the Bartica Hospital and all other hospitals, health centres and health posts across the Cuyuni Mazaruni Region, Region Seven.
Dr. Sagala stressed the importance of immediate health education, health promotion and the promotion of proper washing of hands on a regular basis, as strategies to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Regional health officials and others will be deployed to various parts of the region to ensure awareness and preparations are put in place to keep the virus at bay.
Health facilities across the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region consist of one regional hospital at Bartica, one district hospital at Kamarang Village, two health centres and 26 health posts.
The Ministry of Public Health, PAHO/WHO and other authentic health institutions have also been keeping the public informed through various social media platforms on what measures they need to take to protect themselves.

Over the past two days, there has been a rush to get face masks, sanitisers, bleach, Lysol and other disinfectants for individuals and households. It was reported that many of these items are sold out in the local stores; however, homemade remedies are being used to make sanitisers and other cleansing items to keep away the virus.