BETHANY, an Amerindian community in Region Two, has gone into full lockdown for two weeks following a worrying increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, its toshao, Sonia Latchman said on Monday.

Toshao Latchman, during an interview with members of the media, said the decision to impose the lockdown with immediate effect was made after consultations with members of the village council and the regional taskforce. She said that positive patients will not be allowed to leave the village before the 14-day lockdown period has ended.

She said if the cases continue to rise, then she will have no choice but to consider extending the lockdown.
The toshao, who was recently re-elected to serve on the Bethany Village Council, explained to the media that out of 47 residents tested on Saturday for the deadly virus, 24 are positive.

She said the village council subsequently decided that a lockdown was necessary as a measure to help reduce the number of positive cases. She said too that she had spoken to the Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ranjeev Singh, who will be sending a team to test more persons in the village.

“Bethany has 480 residents and only 47 persons were tested, and many persons are showing symptoms of the virus. As toshao, I want my village to be safe,” she emphasised.
The toshao used the opportunity to call on residents to adhere to all the COVID-19 guidelines and to remain indoors if they are supposed to be in Isolation.

When asked if villagers would have sufficient groceries in their homes to cater for the lockdown, Latchman said her village council had discussion on this issue and plans will be made to assist residents, particularly those who have tested positive.

The toshao assured that the village council will continue to monitor the situation.