-RHO expresses concern

AS the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region continues to record COVID-19 cases on a daily basis, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ranjeev Singh, is pleading with residents to take the vaccine which is available to persons 18 years and over.
As of April 28, 2021, records from the Ministry of Health show that the region has 91 active cases. On Sunday, 28 new cases were recorded; on Monday there were no new cases, while a total of 12 persons were tested positive for the virus for Tuesday and Wednesday. The region has recorded a total of 372 cases of the virus since its arrival in Guyana in March 2020.
Dr. Singh, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said the COVID-19 vaccines are available at a number of locations throughout the region. Residents, he said, can visit vaccination sites at Good Hope, Huist Diren, Suddie, Queenstown, Anna Regina, Dartmouth, Windsor Castle and Charity.

To date, there have been no reports of adverse effects among those who had been vaccinated. In light of this, Dr. Singh assured persons that the vaccines are safe to take. He said too that they are effective and will lessen the likelihood of persons contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Meanwhile, Regional Commander, Superintendent Crystal Robinson, called on businesses operating within the Anna Regina township to ensure that they adhered to all COVID-19 guidelines including the curfew. She said the disciplinary forces within the region remain vigilant. She warned that persons who are seen not wearing a mask, will be charged. Robinson also called on taxi drivers to ensure that passengers entering their cars wear their masks.
Anna Regina and Cotton Field are listed as COVID-19 hotspots. Mayor of Anna Regina, Rajendra Prabhulall, has urged all market vendors to follow the guidelines.

This newspaper understands the Aurora Secondary School was closed for two days after a staff member has reportedly tested positive. Several colleagues were subsequently tested since they would have been in close contact with that person.
Both the AstraZeneca and Sputnik-V vaccines are available in the region. The vaccines stimulate the body’s natural defences, causing it to produce its protection in the form of antibodies. The Sputnik-V vaccine was documented as the first registered COVID-19 vaccine in the world on August, 11, 2020. It is being manufactured by the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in collaboration with the Gamaleya Centre. The vaccines are usually injected into the person’s muscles and are given in two doses.
The Ministry of Health has advised those who were vaccinated to continue to take precautions. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of the virus, they should immediately book a test. Over 7000 persons in the region were vaccinated thus far.