TODAY, the indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta, in East Berbice, Corentyne will go on a total lockdown following a surge in the number of COVID -19 cases in the villages.

This information was disclosed to the Guyana Chronicle by the Toshoa, Mr. Carl Peneux on Thursday evening.

According to Mr. Peneux, the decision was taken to shut down the villages for two weeks and let the law enforcement officials deal with residents who refuse to adhere to the numerous warnings to adhere to the gazetted COVID-19 guidelines.

Within the past 24 hours, there were 12 and 10 new COVID-19 cases from Siparuta and Orealla respectively, taking the total number of positive cases to 53, with one death. This number, according to the toshao, is expected to rise further from outstanding results of the mass testing conducted, and the fact that the residents are close-knit.

“The numbers are very worrying, and for the safety of everyone, the Council has taken the decision to lockdown the villages from tomorrow morning. I am preparing a script as we speak to broadcast on Radio Orealla. If we don’t do this, it will continue to spread and more people will get it,” the toshao said.

Further, he explained that members of the village council have given the matter serious thought, and taken it upon themselves to provide hampers with basic food items to supplement what the residents already have.

“When we made this decision, the Council made a plan, and the village council will sponsor the foodstuff for every household. In fact, tomorrow (Friday), Siparuta Village will be receiving their package for every household. And in Orealla, the Council will purchase the foodstuff early next week, more than likely Monday, to distribute on Tuesday or Wednesday. And if there is any assistance coming from anywhere else, like the CDC or Task Force, we will welcome it,” he said.

The worried community leader said that despite sensitisation via Radio Orealla daily since the beginning of the outbreak in March, and the use of the public address system around the village, residents are still taking the pandemic lightly.

“Residents, please come to your senses and adhere to the restrictions; comply with the restrictions, and it will make a big difference to you. To those who are positive, you will need to isolate and comply with the instructions of the medical team that is here,” he said.

Health officials have remained in the communities conducting testing.

According to the national dashboard on Thursday evening, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has 182 positive cases, with six deaths. The figures from March to Thursday last, stood at 91, and have doubled within the past seven days.

Apart from Siparuta and Orealla, New Amsterdam and Canje have been identified as the other hotspots in the region.

Meanwhile, mass testing was conducted in another community in the region after a number of residents have complained of feeling unwell. Those samples have been sent for analysis, and the results are expected soon.