–another recovers, three in ICU

GUYANA has recorded seven new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 124.
After going one day without recording new cases, health authorities reported on Monday that seven new cases were detected after testing 54 persons for the disease over the past 24 hours.

“Today, we are in our ninth week since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed, and, sad to say, we have not begun to slow the rate of transmission, as our numbers keep climbing every week,” Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton reported on Monday during the daily virtual update on COVID-19.
Of the seven new cases, six were males, which is a clear indication that the disease is being spread predominantly among men.
The total number of persons tested to date is 1,218, with the results of 124 proving positive.

Seizing the opportunity to laud ancillary staff for putting their best foot forward, Dr. Hamilton said: “We wish to thank the staff at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory for showing up every day and working beyond the call of duty.”
Not yet done, he said: “As you are aware, testing is ongoing at this facility, and, to date, we have had no incidence that can threaten the integrity of the results produced by the laboratory. We applaud your outstanding efforts for making an impact on this pandemic, as we work towards containing this disease.”

The good work of frontline workers continues to bear fruit, as another person successfully battled the COVID-19 disease and has joined 44 others who have recovered after contracting the disease.
There are, however, 69 active cases, and of the lot, three persons are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 66 are in institutional isolation.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Health authorities are concerned that these numbers could rise because of imported cases, which could stem from Brazil, where over 15,000 persons have lost their lives to the disease and over 200,000 persons were infected.
On Sunday, it was reported that the number of deaths in neighbouring Brazil has surpassed that of Italy, France and Spain.

“I cannot overemphasise how troubling this is for us, especially as our residents in Region Nine continue to traverse the borders without fear,” Dr. Hamilton said, adding: “Region Nine has reported only one case, which was imported, and with all the efforts by regional authorities, we urge the residents to comply and stop the spread of this disease in your region.”

Health authorities continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis, and the potential and existing activities are part of the plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.
Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) 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 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 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 4.5 million cases of COVID-19, with over 307,000 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.