THE novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of two pensioners within the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 130.

According to the Ministry of Health, the latest victims are a 77-year-old female from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and a 92-year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini). Both persons died while receiving treatment at a local health facility.

The ministry has expressed condolences to the families of those persons, and pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.
The country has also recorded seven new cases of COVID-19 between Monday and Tuesday, pushing the total number of cases to 4,238.

Of those cases, 3,320 persons have recovered, while there are nine individuals in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 73 persons in institutional isolation; and 712 persons in home isolation.
In the wake of the proliferation of cases, the authorities have urged persons to abide by the COVID-19 control measures.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Eight) will expire on November 30, 2020, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per these measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The curfew is now 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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.

There are, however, vulnerable groups such as persons with underlying conditions and elderly patients, who may develop the severe forms of the disease.