FIVE more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 738, the Ministry of Health has reported.

According to the ministry, the latest fatalities are three persons from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica): a 92-year-old male, and two females, aged 85 and 78 years; a 43-year-old male from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 74-year-old female from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

All of those patients were unvaccinated and succumbed while receiving care at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health recorded 141 new cases within the past 24 hours. Region Four accounted for 73 of those new cases; Region One recorded five new cases; Region Two recorded four cases; Region Three recorded 30 cases; Region Six recorded 20 new cases; Region Seven recorded seven new cases, and Regions Nine and 10 recorded one case each.

The country has now recorded a total of 29,824 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 30 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 155 are in institutional isolation, 3,525 are in home isolation, and two persons are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until September 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, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The duration of the current curfew is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs.

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