TWO more persons have died from COVID-19, taking the country’s death toll to 214, while 99 new cases were recorded on Saturday, increasing the overall number of known cases since March 2020 to 9,585.

The latest fatalities are two men – a 70-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and a 50 -year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); they both died on Friday while receiving care at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, there are currently 897 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana following the addition of 99 new cases. The new case were recorded from 927 tests conducted. A total of 36 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 8,489.

The 99 newly confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, Seven, Nine and 10. Forty-six of the newly confirmed cases were males with the remaining 53 being females. Region Four, which has been seeing a continued rise in cases, accounted for 54 of the new cases. Region Two recorded four new cases; Region Three recorded 19 new cases; and Region Six recorded 11 new cases. Three new cases were recorded in Region Seven while Regions Nine and 10 recorded one new case each.

Ten persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown; 52 persons are in institutional isolation; 820 are in home isolation and 15 are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from March 1, 2021, until March 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 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.