– Guyanese continue to safeguard themselves against the deadly Coronavirus

WITH the number of confirmed cases of the dreaded Coronavirus (code-named COVID-9) in Guyana now pegged at five, Guyanese all across the nation are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent its spread.

After news broke of the virus’s presence here last Wednesday, many citizens flocked nearby pharmacies and supermarkets to stock up on gloves, face-masks, hand sanitizers, vitamins and disinfectants.

While several persons were seen clad in face masks and surgical gloves as they went about their daily business, one citizen, Andre Wilson, noted that while it is important for persons to keep washing and sanitising their hands, it is also important for them to eat healthy to boost their immune system.

“Everywhere I go I try to use hand sanitizer before I do any transaction or anything of the sort and after… I’m trying to be as safe as possible, in terms of what the ministry would have advised us to do, as in best health practices; I’m having a lot fruits to boost the immune system,” Wilson stated.

Meanwhile, another citizen, who gave her name as ‘Nirmala’, stated that she is taking all the necessary precautionary measures as advised by the Ministry of Public Health.
“I’m getting my house cleaned with bleach and vinegar; I bought the Lysol to spray my house, and keep it clean. And anytime I go out, I make sure I get my hand sanitizer,” the woman said.

‘LOCKED AND LOADED’

A taxi driver by the name of Ramroop told the Guyana Chronicle that he is “fully locked and loaded” with sanitation products to clean his car, and protect him and customers during the outbreak.

He added that every two hours, he would spray the seats of his car, and whenever he receives money, he would sanitise his hands. “I use hand sanitizer, and have Dettol and bleach in my car. And every two hours I spray out my car,” Ramroop said.

Meanwhile, a vendor, who gave her name as Karen, stated that she is keeping her surroundings and household clean by using everyday cleaning products such as bleach and Lysol.

The woman said she is also using rubbing alcohol, wipes, and hand sanitisers to keep her hands clean, as she continues to ply her trade.

Christine English, a plantain-chip vendor, stated that she is also taking all the necessary precautions to protect herself and customers, as she sells on a daily basis.
The woman noted that because she meets with various persons from all over the place during the day, it is very important that she keeps herself and stand clean and sanitised at all times, not only to guard herself but her customers as well.
“I’m protecting myself by using hand sanitizer whenever I sell. As I collect money, I wipe my hand with my handkerchief; I have my little Marvex bottle with water and Marvex to wash my hand, plus I have my hand sanitizer,” English stated.
‘Gandhi’, a street vendor, noted that he is also taking precautionary measures to protect himself. However, the businessman noted that he is also capitalising on the situation by selling sanitation products that are in demand, since many stores have been sold out, and have hiked the prices for many sanitation products such as Lysol spray, gloves, and face-masks.

TESTS POSITIVE

Another family member of the 52-year-old woman who died from the Coronavirus last week has tested positive for the illness, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Guyana to five.

The first case of the virus, which was confirmed last Wednesday, was that of a 52-year-old woman who recently travelled with family members from the United States. It was noted that based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms (out-of-control diabetes and high blood pressure), health officials also diagnosed her as having contracted COVID-19.

A sample was collected and sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), where laboratory tests proved positive on Wednesday morning. The woman died last Wednesday while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).