THE dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of two persons within the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 64.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the victims were 71-year-old Augustine Lewis and 63-year-old Dhanpaul Jaigobin.
Both Lewis and Jaigobin were said to be patients of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where they succumbed while receiving treatment on Friday.

This publication understands that the victims had underlying medical conditions which exacerbated the effects of the dreaded disease.
Guyana has so far recorded 2,102 cases of COVID-19 with 75 of those cases being recorded in the past 24 hours. But 1,314 persons have since recovered while 64 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 66 persons are in institutional isolation and 644 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.