…Guyana’s active cases stand at 87

LOCAL cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to rise consistently, with the latest statistics showing that the country recorded one new case within the past 24 hours.
Health authorities did not say how many tests were conducted within the past 24 hours, but the latest public information shows that 2,147 tests have been conducted so far, with 1,942 proving negative and 107 positive.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in presenting data on the current situation, said four persons have recovered from the disease, and were medically cleared within the past 24 hours.

Those people joined the other 103 persons who have successfully battled the disease. The total recoveries and 12 deaths have reduced the total number of cases to 87. Of the 87 active cases, 86 are in institutional isolation, and one person is being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

As cases continue to rise, health authorities are urging Guyanese to be responsible and cautious, especially persons who are being repatriated from various countries.
“Guyana is at the crossroads in this pandemic; we must put a handle on the number of reported cases, and so I wish to plead with our repatriating nationals to act responsibly, and provide the health authorities with accurate information on their arrival,” Dr. Persaud said.

Providing the authorities with accurate information, he said, is the only way that the Ministry of Public Health and the surveillance team will effectively be able to monitor those who’ve been repatriated, and manage the COVID-19 situation.

In zeroing in on vulnerable places, Dr. Persaud said barber shops are “hubs” for congregating, socialising and conversing, practices which are against the control measures.
“I understand how much pleasure you derive from being in this environment, but we are in COVID times, and COVID-19 is serious, so I’ am asking that you desist from these risky practices,” the CMO advised.

BARBER-SHOP RULES
The owner of the barber shop has the responsibility to ensure that physical distancing is observed; no overcrowding, and that there is provision for handwashing. Wearing a mask must also be an important part of the set-up.

In relation to children, Dr. Persaud advised barbers to look after them separately, and not have them mingle with the general crowd; you can either set up appointments for them, or have a special time when only children will be accommodated. A similar system must be established for the elderly population.

“I cannot stress enough that our young males, according to our data, are the ones most seriously affected, so we are begging you to be extra careful. Prevention is better than cure.

“Please remember to call the hotlines in your community; use the mobile units or reach out to the COVID-site facilities if you have signs or symptoms, or if you have been in contact with a positive case,” Dr. Persaud advised,
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.

“We wish to remind you of the runaway situation in neighbouring Brazil that has climbed to the position of being the second country in the world to have reported cases with an alarmingly high number of deaths registered,” said Dr. Persaud.

EXTREMELY VULNERABLE
Residents in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are extremely vulnerable because of this situation, and need to be vigilant and stop all cross-border movement, and stop migrant persons entering your community.

Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four, and Seven 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 8.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 465,000 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.