THREE persons have lost their lives to the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 134.
Health authorities have identified the recent victims as being a 58-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), another male, 56 years old, from Region One (Barima-Waini), and a 74-year-old female from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

According to available information, the persons died while receiving treatment for symptoms related to COVID-19 at a local health facility.
The Ministry of Health 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.
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.
The country has recorded 64 new cases of COVID-19 between Thursday and Friday, pushing the total number of cases to 4,457.

Of those cases, 3,467 persons have recovered, while there are 11 individuals in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 74 persons in institutional isolation; and 770 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.