GUYANA continues to record a consistent increase in the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with tests over the last 24 hours producing two new cases.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, said health authorities discovered the new cases after conducting 34 tests within the past 24 hours. Authorities have so far tested 2,668 persons, with 2,418 being negative and 250 being positive.
Of the positive cases, some 117 persons have recovered and 14 persons have died, but there are 120 active cases which are being monitored by health authorities. Two of the active cases are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 118 are in institutional isolation.
The safety of every Guyanese is dependent on the compliance with control measures, which were implemented by local health authorities to contain the spread of the disease. 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.
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 those on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.
According to the existing statistics, Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) continue to have most of the cases.
Dr. Boyle said Regions One and Seven, in particular, have recorded a rapid increase in the number of cases being recorded.
“I am pleading with you, to stop and spare a thought not only for your safety, but that of your family, neighbours and residents in the communities,” said the DCMO.
She advised persons to co-operate with the compliance division of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Civil Defence Commission, the army and the police, who will be working collaboratively with the Ministry of Public Health to contain the spread of this deadly disease in hinterland communities.
“We are calling on all the residents to cooperate with the health officials as we work to contain the spread of the disease in your communities,” she advised.
Health authorities have found that a large number of positive cases, in these regions, have no signs and symptoms, so they are asymptomatic. These persons can transmit this disease and the infected person will not even know that they are sick because there is no sign.
Toshaos and village councillors, operations owners all have a role to play in this pandemic. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, had called on them to impress upon villagers and workers the importance of what is being said. All of the evidence points to the fact that if the guidelines are followed, the disease will be contained.
Considering the situation, Dr. Persaud had said residents of the community need to “be on guard” and take all necessary precautions in order to prevent further spread of the disease.
“We are urging you to support the health team in this area by coming forward for testing if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive; by staying home unless it is necessary for you to come out, and if you must come out, ensure that your noses and mouths are covered.”
We ask that there is no congregating of persons, and that all passenger vehicles adhere to the guidelines that were provided. “We wish to also 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.
COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 10.3 million cases of COVID-19, with over 508,000 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.