…Dr. Bux warns, amid concerns over increased public activity, Brazil variant

AMID a steadily increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases being recorded daily, Director of the national Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Dr. Zulfikar Bux, highlighted that unless persons take the necessary precautions and adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines, the country may be devastated by the adverse effects of the virus.

In his weekly column published in the Kaieteur News, Dr. Bux lamented that the month of March has been one of the deadliest and one of the most infectious months since the pandemic started last year. Exacerbating this, he said, is that the increased infection and fatality rates have not resulted in a great change in public behaviour.

Importantly, he also highlighted the unfolding situation in Guyana’s south and south-western neighbour Brazil; this country currently has had the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in the world over the past two weeks. Additionally, Brazil has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, which is partially attributed to the emergence of the P1 or Brazil variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). This variant is more transmissible, which means that more persons can become infected.

“Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) are warning neighbouring countries to take precautions, since they are very concerned that the mutated variant responsible for this devastation can spread across borders and cause similar effects in other countries,” Dr. Bux stated.

In Guyana, particularly in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), there have been concerns over the importation of COVID-19 and more recently, importation of the P1 variant. Guyana and Brazil share an expansive, porous border and though the official crossing between the two countries – the Takutu Bridge – has been closed since March last year, there are a number of ‘backtrack’ or illegal routes that facilitate crossings.

Guyana has not yet been able to detect whether the Brazil variant has been detected in the country, since only a small number of samples are being sent abroad for genetic sequencing (a type of genetic analysis). Neither the United Kingdom (UK) variant nor the South Africa variant has been detected locally either.

Still, local authorities have indicated that border-monitoring will be intensified and that there will be an increased focus in the region, to ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines instituted to curb the spread of the virus are adhered to.

“This variant is more deadly, easier to catch and affects younger adults more than previous strains of the Sars-Cov-2 virus. This is a recipe for disaster and it is exactly what we are seeing in Brazil,” Dr. Bux emphasised.

Importantly, he alluded to concerns that the local increase in cases may be caused by the Brazil variant, coupled with the irresponsible behaviour of persons in the pandemic.

“Common sense would dictate that we should not wait to find out, but get responsible and heed preventative measures before the situation really gets out of control,” he underscored, lamenting: “We have recently seen more deaths of younger persons than in any other period during this pandemic. The young adults here are getting hit harder with the disease than previously.”

Cognisant of this evolving situation, Dr. Bux urged persons to adhere to the protective measures of avoiding large gatherings and maintaining a social distance, washing hands constantly and wearing masks. He also indicated that the string of local observances — Phagwah, Easter and Ramadan — may present an opportunity for these measures to be flouted. But, he again urged that persons adopt more responsible behaviours.