– no new cases so far, contact being made with persons who interacted with infected persons

By Navendra Seoraj

AS the new global pandemic, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), continues to spread across the world, local authorities should consider implementing travel restrictions says Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle.

Globally, the virus has now infected more than 168,000 people, and killed at least 6,610, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

And, with Guyana recording four cases so far, Dr. Boyle believes that the “ideal” thing to do right now is to implement travel restrictions. With four cases of the coronavirus confirmed, Guyana’s closest Caribbean neighbour, Trinidad and Tobago, has decided to disconnect from the international community for the next 14 days, by closing its borders.

“It is the ideal thing to do, but government has not made a decision as yet; it is probably what needs to be considered,” Dr. Boyle said Monday when asked to comment on the matter.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The coronavirus outbreak reportedly originated in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to many other countries, including some in the Americas.

COMMON SIGNS
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

The first local case of the virus, which was confirmed last Wednesday, was that of a 52-year-old woman who recently came home with family members from the United States.
Reports are that based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms (out-of-hand diabetes and high blood pressure), health officials also tested her for COVID-19.

A sample was collected and sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), where laboratory tests confirmed on Wednesday that she did have the virus. By then the woman had already died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports are also that the woman’s immediate family members and more than a dozen others who would have come into contact with her were advised by Ministry of Public Health officials to self-quarantine. Tests on three of the woman’s immediate family members have revealed that three of them had contracted the virus.

CONTRACT TRACING
The public health ministry has since begun a process called “contact tracing” to ensure that persons who’d come into contact with infected persons are not infected.

“We are doing contact tracing, which is a routine thing we do when we have such cases… We have to look for the people who may have come into contact with them (infected persons) to make sure they are okay,” Dr. Boyle said.

And while no one else has so far tested positive for the Coronavirus, according to medical officials here, a number of persons are being monitored.

Not wanting to leave anything to chance, the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is urging local Public Health Authorities, as well as every Guyanese for that matter, to adequately prepare for the inevitable spread of the virus here in Guyana.

“All precautions must be taken to slow the spread of this disease, and protect our most vulnerable members of society,” AMCHAM said, adding: “We commend the authorities on steps taken to secure our children with the closure of schools, and the regular information provided, however, AMCHAM believes that more aggressive measures are needed at this time.”

The Chamber, is also calling on the relevant public health authorities here to take a cue from fellow CARICOM countries, like T&T and neighbouring Suriname, and other world leaders and impose strict travel restrictions, and follow the WHO guidelines on imposing quarantine to the letter.

WORK-FROM-HOME ARRANGEMENTS
Said AMCHAM, “We call on the private sector to support the national efforts by offering alternative work-from-home arrangements; engaging in sanitation exercises in all businesses; and providing the tools for workers to engage in safe practices. We encourage businesses to help make quarantine more comfortable for patients, such as reduced data and phone-call charges so that persons can still be in touch with their loved ones; or donations of food, formula, toiletries and cleaners for less fortunate households.”

Taking AMCHAM up on its advice, local Internet service provider E-Networks Inc has announced that it will be temporarily reducing its staffing at branches, and is encouraging its customers to make use of some of the features on offer to conduct common transactions Online, without having to physically visit any of its offices. These features include its newly-launched mobile app, “E-Networks E-Care”, which is available on Google Play and iOS App Store. The ‘app’ at reference enables customers to manage their E-Networks accounts from their mobile devices, with the options of viewing and updating account details; paying their E-Networks bills; and getting technical support.

Customers can also receive immediate responses via WhatsApp to common queries through the company’s “chatbot” service, available on telephone number +1-855-339-3890.

Other options available to E-Networks customers include paying their bills, using the Online banking services of Scotiabank, Demerara Bank, Republic Bank, and Citizens Bank, as well as bill payment services like SurePay, Bill Express and GTT Mobile Money. For any queries, customers can also interact with E-Networks agents via telephone: 231-3890, e-mail: csr@ewirelessgy.com or any of its social media pages @enetworksgy. E-Networks branches will also remain open for bill payments and other queries.

ZOO CLOSED
Meanwhile, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the National Parks Commission (NPC) has also taken some precautionary measures of its own and announced that the Georgetown Zoo will be closed as of today, Tuesday March 17, 2020 until further notice.
This move is a part of the Commission’s efforts to safeguard and protect staff and citizens from the COVID-19 threat.

“As much as we appreciate and encourage all of Guyana to take advantage of the convenience of our protected areas, including our urban parks, we understand that health and safety are important and must always be the main priorities,” the PAC/NPC said, adding:

“Please be advised also that the Botanical Gardens and the National Park will remain open, as we take extra precautionary measures to ensure that all of our public facilities are fully sanitized.”

The PAC/NPC further calls on all Guyanese to adhere to the rules, measures and advice coming from the Ministry of Public Health in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana.

STILL IN PLACE
“Screening remains in place for those persons arriving from high-risk countries. Seven countries: Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brazil, French Guiana, Panama, St. Vincent and the United States of America, have been added to the list of eight (People’s Republic of China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Iran) that was previously made public,” President David Granger was quoted as saying in a recent statement.

The President also advised against public gatherings and non-essential travel, and encouraged agencies to sensitise key personnel at all air and seaports, so that they could be alert.

In the event of a suspected case reaching the shores of Guyana, the Ministry of Public Health has designated three quarantine facilities, and will be identifying more, President Granger said. These facilities are expected to be efficient because Guyana already has the capacity to test for COVID-19, thanks to training provided by the Pan American Health Organisation.

Despite the preparatory work, government has started to assess the readiness of health facilities to meet the anticipated increase in demand of services and will continue to fill existing gaps by providing additional supplies and equipment through the public health ministry. As it is now, President Granger said the public health ministry has enough personal protective equipment in the country for health facilities and it also has adequate stores of respiratory medicine for the next three months.

“These efforts are supported by a communications campaign to keep the population updated on the virus and its impacts and oversight provided by the Health Emergency Operations Centre. The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be activated to provide sector-wide support,” he said.

As a safeguard, the Ministry of Public Health has urged the public to adhere to infection prevention and control measures such as maintaining a distance of at least one metre from persons who are coughing or sneezing; performing hand hygiene frequently by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using a hand sanitiser; covering mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing; and avoid touching your face.

The MoPH would like to remind members of the public that should anyone develop a high fever, a persistent cough or have difficulty breathing to immediately call the COVID-19 hotline:

227-4986 ext. 215 (from 8am – 4:30pm; 624 -6674; 624 – 2819 (from 4:30pm to 8am).
It is also advisable to share previous travel history accurately with a healthcare provider. The Health Emergency Operating Centre (HEOC) was activated by the Public Health Ministry as part of a broader menu of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.