– 19 new cases recorded in 24 hours
GUYANA has lost two precious lives to the dreaded Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past 24 hours, taking the local death toll to 44.
The Guyana Chronicle understands that the victims were a 67-year-old male of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 48-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Health authorities said both persons were admitted to a health facility and were tested after they showed signs of COVID-19.
Officials of the Ministry of Health have since confirmed that they are in contact with all relatives and persons, to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the victims.
The ministry is also appealing to the public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and their families and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace.
All Guyanese were reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which are in effect until September 30, 2020. This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The need for caution is justified by the daily rise in cases of the disease. Just Thursday, the country recorded 19 new cases of the disease, a low figure when compared to previous days, but still significant.
Authorities have so far tested 9,040 persons for COVID-19, with 7,639 being negative and 1,401 positive. Of the positive cases, 805 persons have recovered, while 44 persons have lost their lives to the scourge. Authorities are, however, monitoring the active cases which include 67 persons in institutional isolation, 471 in home isolation and 14 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
While the situation is already grim, cases are expected to rise further when government receives the results for 500 COVID-19 test samples, which were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday.
It was reported that the samples were sent because the country was experiencing a backlog caused by increased testing across the country.
Guyana Chronicle was told that the results are expected back by Friday, but the results will likely take the number of cases higher.
While some persons continue to take the dreaded disease for granted, the Guyana Chronicle had reported that the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities.
This was according to doctors of the GPHC. At the time, Guyana had recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease and while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors had said most of the persons who died had co-morbidities.
In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, comorbidity is each additional condition.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract the virus will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care.
“Most of the people who passed have [sic] co-morbidities; some had diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and one of them even had severe pneumonia, which, without COVID-19, can also cause death…. These, coupled with the complications related to COVID-19, can be dangerous,” said Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps, during a past interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information kindly contact one of the COVID-19 hotlines – 231 1166, 226 7480 or 624 6674 – or visit the ministry’s website at www.health.gov.gy .
