THE Ministry of Health has reported that two more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking the country’s death toll to 659.

According to the ministry, the latest fatalities were a 69-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who died while receiving medical care at a local facility.

Meanwhile, of the 240 new cases recorded on Thursday, 154 were recorded in Region Four. A number of communities in this region have been identified as COVID-19 hotspots.

New infections were recorded from 1,777 tests, taking the overall number of confirmed cases since March, 2020, to 27,301.

New cases were recorded in the following regions: Region Two (14 cases), Region Three (54 cases), Region Five (eight cases), Region Six (three cases), Region Seven (four cases), Region Eight (one case), Region Nine (one case) and Region Ten (one case).

Of the active cases, 36 are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, 128 are in institutional isolation and 2,504 are in home isolation. To date, 23,974 persons have recovered from the virus.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the Covid-19 Emergency Measures (No.21), which are in effect until September 30, 2021.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.