…Three remain in ICU, 63 in isolation

GUYANA has gone 24 hours without recording a new case of novel coronavirus infection, and this positive development was complemented by the recovery of another person, who successfully battled the deadly disease.

According to recent statistics released by health authorities, the number of recoveries has moved from 43 to 44 over the past 24 hours. This is a positive sign for the country, especially since there has been a consistent increase in cases of COVID-19 over the past few months.

“Most persons will recover from the disease…and recoveries is [sic] a good sign for us,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, in an invited comment on Saturday.
She cited information from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which states that 81 per cent of persons, who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care.

The country has already lost persons to the dreaded disease and a total of 117 persons have been infected to date.

Health authorities have so far tested 1,164 persons for the disease, with 1,047 of those persons being negative.

Three of the infected persons are, however, battling for their lives in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 63 remain in institutional isolation and six in institutional quarantine.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that detected cases of the disease could be higher than expected, as a number of persons are asymptomatic, meaning that they do not show signs of the disease. At the time of the report, the number of confirmed cases was 116, but health authorities said over 35 per cent or over 40 persons are asymptomatic.

“You should note that over 35 per cent of our COVID-19 cases were actually asymptomatic – had no typical signs or symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath etc…, so even if your temperature is normal, you have to continue to behave as if you have the virus,” said Dr. Boyle, during a COVID-19 update, on Friday.

This now brings to bear the fact that a person’s temperature may be normal, but it does not mean that he/she is not infected with COVID-19. As it is now, various medical institutions do preliminary screenings by testing persons’ temperatures, but additional measures may have to be employed. Considering the prevailing circumstance, Dr. Boyle said: “You must continue to wear your mask, wash your hands frequently, maintain physical distancing, stay at home and immediately report to the COVID-19 hotline should any symptoms arise.”

With the hope of detecting more cases of the disease, testing and screening will be expanded, said Dr. Boyle, adding that persons should make full use of the existing mobile units, which are available in some communities, mainly in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Health authorities are working on strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis, and the potential and existing activities are a part of the plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

Region Four remains the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities, outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases. Among communities on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Measures can be continuously implemented, but it is up to the individuals, that is the average Guyanese, to adhere to those measures and think seriously about flattening the curve (reducing the spread). The disease remains a serious issue, not just in Guyana, but globally.

And, according to global statistics, there are over 4.4 million cases of COVID-19, with over 302,000 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 preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.