–as COVID-19 lays siege on Guyana

GUYANA has recorded eight new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past 24 hours.
Health authorities have so far tested 4,188 persons for COVID-19, with 3,827 being negative and 360 testing positive. Of the positive cases, 180 persons have recovered, and 20 have died, but there are 160 active cases, and those are being monitored by the authorities. Four of those active cases are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Considering the existing situation and the consistent rise in cases, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, in an update on Friday, said that one needs to remain responsible and vigilant, especially now that persons are back on the job and students will soon be returning to school. She said parents and teachers should take joint responsibility for the policing of students during school hours to ensure adherence to guidelines. With public sector employees “back on the job”, the DCMO said employers need to create measures and systems to ensure that employees remain safe while at work.

“Employers should rearrange office space to facilitate six-foot distancing; reduce in-person meetings to barest essentials (technology such as Zoom can be used to conduct meetings),” Dr. Boyle said, adding: “Discourage employee congregation at (water dispensers, coffee station, dining room and rest rooms) lunch period/breaks should be staggered and staff where possible can be encouraged to have lunch at their desks.”

Employees also have a role to play, and this includes using private transportation whenever possible. She believes employers could also aid in this area by facilitating the transportation of employees to and from work, in order to reduce the probability of exposure when using public transportation. According to Dr. Boyle, “All entrances to public and private workplaces should have screening and hygiene blocks. Screening will entail taking temperatures with the laser thermometer; hygiene blocks should comprise sinks with running water and liquid soap or hand sanitising stations.

“Workplaces must decide on their policies regarding persons with elevated temperatures…referral for further investigation or returning home and seeking further medical advice.” While most of the commercial and public sector operations are conducted in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), other regions like Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) need to be cautious as well.

“Even though the numbers in Region Four are higher, you are on average 9.5 times more likely to be infected in Region One than in Region Four, and you are seven times more likely to get infected in Region Seven than in Region Four,” said Dr. Boyle during a virtual COVID-19 update on Tuesday.
The reason for the high likelihood of infection in those regions is the fact that the concentration of infections by population is far higher than in Region Four. So, while the government has relaxed some of the control measures, Dr. Boyle said restrictions such as the initial curfew of 18:00hrs to 6:00hrs still apply to Regions One and Seven.
In addition to those regions, the DCMO said Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is also “under the radar”, as cases have been rising consistently there over the past two weeks.

Considering the prevalence of the disease, Dr. Boyle, in advising persons, said: “I plead with you not to tire of wearing your mask, washing your hands and staying six feet apart. These simple activities are the key to protecting ourselves and others.” She reminded persons that a collective effort is needed in order for Guyana not to be overwhelmed by the highly-infectious coronavirus disease.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 15.2 million cases of COVID-19, with over 628,000 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.