GUYANA recorded another COVID-19 case on Sunday, after some 60 persons were tested. Even as a new case is added, the country recorded another recovery, taking the total number of recoveries to 103. To date, 184 persons have tested positive with the disease.

The additional 60 tests take the total number of persons tested to 2,108; and according to the results of those tested, 1,924 have so far tested negative. Of the 184 confirmed cases, 103 persons have recovered and 12 persons have lost their lives; the remaining persons are being monitored in institutional isolation.

According to the Public Health Ministry, there is no one in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit – a positive sign for the country.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is still the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases. The Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region, notably Aranka, has the second highest number of confirmed cases; it is a mining community which means that there is continuous movement in and out of the area, making it extremely easy for the disease to spread.

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, while among those on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

“I wish to remind you that we are at a much higher risk because COVID-19 is rampant in our bordering countries and we have not seen a reduction but a constant increase in the number of positive cases,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in a virtual COVID-19 update, last Friday.

Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are the regions which have been most impacted by the disease.

“The mining community is now one of the most vulnerable groups for the spread of this disease…Residents in Region Seven, I wish to make a special appeal to you as the situation in your community is of grave concern to the ministry,” Dr. Persaud lamented.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and, according to global statistics, there are 8.3 million cases of COVID-19, with over 450,000 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.