By Navendra Seoraj
TWO persons have lost their lives to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 62.
Authorities said the latest victims were a 52-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). This region has so far recorded the most cases of COVID-19, 808.
The Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and promised to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.
Officials of the ministry have since contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone, who might have been exposed to the victims.
Guyana has so far recorded 2,027 cases of COVID-19 with 43 of those cases being recorded in the past 24 hours. But 1,302 persons have since recovered, while 62 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 65 persons are in institutional isolation and 584 are in home isolation, while 16 persons are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people, who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
The WHO had said that 81 per cent of persons, who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care.
But the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, among other things.
Persons were encouraged to take extra precaution because there is no approved cure or specific treatment for the disease. Guyanese were also reminded to observe the protocols established in the COVID-19 emergency measures.
Anyone who displays any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, can contact the COVID-19 Emergency numbers – 231 1166, 226 7480 or 624 6674 immediately – or visit the ministry’s website at www.health.gov.gy.
