– three new cases recorded

GUYANA on Saturday, January 2, 2021, recorded its first COVID-19-related death for the new year, taking the overall death toll since the first case was detected here in March 2020 to 165.

The latest victim is 70-year-old Chitri Prashad, of Whim, East-Berbice, Corentyne (Region Six). Health officials confirmed to the Sunday Chronicle that Prashad had several underlying medical conditions, and was among five patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

This newspaper also understands that Prashad was admitted to the hospital on December 24, 2020, after he was referred there from the Woodlands Hospital. Meanwhile, the country on Saturday recorded three new COVID-19 cases from 119 tests, taking the total number of positive cases in Guyana to 6,351.

The new cases were all recorded in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which, to date, has recorded some 2,716 cases. Two of the newly-confirmed cases were females, with the remaining one being a male. An additional 26 persons have since recovered within the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries since March to 5,894.
There are currently 314 active cases, four of which are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Currently, there are ten persons in institutional isolation; 279 in home isolation, and 21 in institutional quarantine.

The Ministry of Health’s daily dashboard on Saturday did not reflect the latest COVID-19 death. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic; that is, they are not exhibiting any symptoms.
The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from January 1, 2021, until January 31, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

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