EVEN as the fight against COVID-19 continues, the number of COVID-19-related deaths has increased to 447, following the death of two Region Four residents.
The Ministry of Health has disclosed that the latest fatalities are a 57-year-old female and 64-year-old male, both of whom died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, there are currently 1,521 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 48 new cases, as of June 21, 2021. Even as new cases were recorded, 102 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to date to 17,175.

The 48 newly-confirmed cases were recorded in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Twenty-six of the newly-confirmed cases are males, with the remaining 22 being females.
Region Four accounted for 26 of the new cases, while Region Three recorded four new ones, and Regions Five, Nine and Ten two each. Region Six recorded nine new cases, and Region Seven three.

It was reported that the 48 new cases were recorded from a total of 745 tests. The country has now recorded a total of 19,144 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Eighteen persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
Currently, there are 106 persons in institutional isolation, 1,396 in home isolation, and one person is in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, in that they are not exhibiting any symptoms whatsoever.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, during his daily COVID-19 update on Monday, disclosed that 227,690 Guyanese who represent just about 46.8% of Guyana’s adult population have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

From this number, 98,635 have also received the second dose of the vaccine and are now fully vaccinated against the virus. These persons account for 20.3% of Guyana’s adult population.
Minister Anthony stated that the ministry expects to reach a milestone for COVID vaccination this week, saying, “We are improving gradually and we look forward to those numbers going up during this week so definitely we’re going to pass 100,000 for the second dose this week.”

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from June 1, 2021 until June 30, 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, 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 22:30 hrs to 04:00 hrs.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.