-Country records two new cases

FOUR persons have evaded the damning effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and were medically cleared by health authorities, on Wednesday.
Recovered cases refer to persons who were affected with the disease and who now have been cleared with two negative results 24 hours apart and with no signs and symptoms of the virus.

It was reported that persons who recover from COVID-19 are no longer infectious, meaning they cannot spread the disease, but they can, however, be re-infected.
Guyana, however, faces a conflicting reality, as the rate of infection remains higher than the rate of recovery. The country has experienced a consistent rise in the number of cases over the past two months, and it was no different over the past 24 hours, as two new cases were recorded within that time.

Health authorities have so far tested 4,563 persons, with 4,165 being negative and 398 positive. Of the positive cases, 185 persons have recovered and 20 persons have lost their lives to the disease. The remaining 193 active cases are being monitored by authorities.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in an update on Tuesday, had said persons need to take note of the existing situation, especially in the hinterland regions where cases continue to rise daily.

“Of the seven new cases today, six cases are coming from Arau in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and one case from the city,” said Dr. Persaud during a virtual COVID-19 update on Tuesday.

The country, in the early days of the pandemic, had grown accustomed to Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) being the epicentre for the disease, but this has since changed, and Regions Seven and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are now the “hotspots” for the disease.

“The majority are coming from Region Seven, and yesterday (Monday) all the new cases (19) were reported in Region Nine,” said the CMO.
Region Nine shares a wide border with Brazil, where COVID-19 is rampant. Globally, Brazil ranks second for the most cases of COVID-19 after the United States of America, and has reported a total of 2, 455, 905 cases, with 88,017 deaths.

Dr. Persaud, however, sought to reassure persons that the Ministry of Public Health is doing everything possible to keep Guyanese safe.
“Residents, the ministry continues to plead with you to adhere to the health guidelines, and to intensify your community action. Village councillors, gate keepers and prominent members of the communities, your role is to work collectively to ensure compliance with the regulations if you wish to keep down the transmission of the disease,” said the CMO.

He advised against cross-border movement, and urged that residents report migrants who enter their communities.
Dr. Persaud further advised persons to stay at home and only leave if there is an urgent need, and to wear a mask in public. Persons were also encouraged to practise social distancing, avoid gatherings of more than 10 persons, and sanitise properly.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 16.3 million cases of COVID-19, with over 650,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.