SANTA Rosa, Guyana’s largest Indigenous settlement located in the Moruca sub-district in the Barima-Waini region, has recorded full recovery of all eighty-eight (88) COVID-19 cases.
In an interview with the Department of Public Information on Wednesday, Toshao Whanita Phillips disclosed that all of the patients are out of isolation.

Santa Rosa recorded its first case back in April and in a matter of weeks, the community was considered a ‘hot spot’ when several persons tested positive for the virus.
Of the 89 confirmed cases, 10 were children and one resident, unfortunately, lost her life. Some 246 tests were done in the village which has a population of over 10,000.
The village leader said that she is happy with the new development of recoveries, noting that the situation over the past few months was worrying. “You know some persons saying, ‘We don’t have coronavirus in Moruca’ and so on, but we were able to control the situation…we are happy to be COVID-19 free.”
Toshao Phillips added that all of the measures remain in full effect. The area is still under lock-down and the curfew remains in effect. However, there are a number of cargo boats still operating in the area.

“All the measures are still in place. We have a few cargo boats still working but we continue to monitor the situation. The villagers are adhering to the measures implemented by the village council and so we are hoping to keep it that way.”

The toshao is encouraging residents to continue taking the necessary precautions by sanitising and washing their hands, avoiding large gatherings and wearing masks when going out in public.

As of August 4, a total of 497 positive cases were recorded; of this number, 22 were COVID-related deaths.
The Public Health Ministry has reported that there are 289 active cases in institutional isolation; 38 persons in institutional quarantine and two persons are in the COVID-19 ICU. To date, 186 persons have recovered. (DPI)