–two persons in ICU, 51 in isolation

GUYANA continues to record a consistent increase in the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with the latest statistics showing an addition of four over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 82.

The country also lost another precious life to the deadly disease, taking the COVID-19 death toll to nine. This represents a death rate of a little more than 10 per cent, much higher than the average death rate of 2-4 per cent outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Society has managed to remain calm during these trying times, but the seriousness of the situation cannot be overlooked. And, according to Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence: “…I am, therefore, appealing to you to change your behaviour patterns and adhere to the guidelines provided to enable us to stop the upward trajectory, and help flatten the curve (spread of the disease). If not, we will have a situation beyond our control.”

Minister Lawrence, in a virtual update on Thursday, reminded Guyanese that central Georgetown continues to be the epicenter of the disease, with positive cases coming from Kitty, Sophia, Turkeyen, Liliendaal, Cummings Lodge, Alberttown and Cummingsburg. Cases also came from Bourda, Lamaha Park, South Ruimveldt Gardens and Thirst Park.
In her update, the minister added new communities to this list, and those areas include Campbellville, East Ruimveldt, Guyhoc Park, Lodge, Albouystown and Laing Avenue, in West Ruimveldt.

“Fellow Guyanese, I hope you have noted the areas listed, and realise how close the Coronavirus disease is to you,” said Minister Lawrence.

Health authorities have so far tested 579 persons for COVID-19, with 497 of those persons testing negative for the disease, and the remainder testing positive. Of the confirmed cases, some 22 persons have recovered, but 51 remain in isolation, and 18 in quarantine. Additionally, two persons are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“To date, the total number of patients seen in the COVID-19 ICU is 24, with seven deaths being registered within the ICU,” Minister Lawrence said.

Globally, there are over three million cases of COVID-19, with over 207,000 deaths. And with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease.

In an effort to improve the response to the pandemic, the Public Health Ministry has launched its mobile unit at the East La Penitence Health Centre, as well as at the community COVID-19 facilities of Region#4 at Herstelling, on the East Bank Demerara, and at Paradise, on the East Coast Demerara.

Additionally, the government has extended its emergency measures to combat the dreaded disease, with the imposition of a 12-hour curfew on citizens. These emergency measures were taken pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the directive issued by the President, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement B, on March 16, 2020.

As the country wages war against the deadly disease, President David Granger is on record as saying that the efforts of the country’s frontline workers, in particular those within the medical field, should not go unnoticed.

“I ask you… to think tenderly of our public health professionals and service providers; that is to say, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all other supporting staff, medical and non-medical, who are providing the required care for those in distress,” President Granger said, adding: “Public health practitioners are on the frontline of protecting those stricken by the disease; they have been working tirelessly, through this very difficult situation, to provide quality healthcare to those who have been infected and afflicted. Everyone in the public health system has played a vital part in the fight against this disease.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly-discovered coronavirus.

The WHO said most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illnesses and recover without requiring special treatment. Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness.
The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well-informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread.

“Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva, or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.