Gov’t to send 50 samples to be tested for Omicron variant this week
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony

AS the country continues to see a drastic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony on Monday confirmed that 50 samples will be sent this week to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago for testing, to confirm the presence of the Omicron variant in Guyana.

According to the minister, the recent trends are synonymous with the variant which is, reportedly, more transmissible. He disclosed that the country has recorded 425 new cases within the past 24 hours.

Dr. Anthony stated the ministry anticipates that the results will be available within a three-week timeframe.

“When we started seeing the spike; this vertical telltale sign of Omicron on our graphs, we realised that Omicron is here. So, from those patients, we were able to select a few samples, and, right now, we have all the samples selected, but those arrangements for shipping the samples to the ‘lab’ we are now putting in place to make sure that they go to the lab,” Dr. Anthony said.

Minister Anthony disclosed that, currently, there are 6,300 active cases across the country. Of this number, 3,972 are from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Guyana’s most populated region. Region one (Barima-Waini) currently has 45 active cases, while Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have some 145 and 694 cases, respectively. Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has 151; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 567; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 12; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 278; and Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 271.

Minister Anthony noted that while transmission of the virus remains high, hospitalisation remains relatively low. Just 92 of those who have tested positive are currently hospitalised, while 51, eight of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit ICU) are patients at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, at Liliendaal, on the lower East Coast Demerara.

A health official collecting a sample to be tested for COVID-19

VACCINATION
According to the latest COVID-19 statistics, some 414,235 adults and 31,073 adolescents have received their first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Guyana.

Those numbers, when broken down, mean that 80.3 per cent of the country’s adult population, and 42.6 per cent of its adolescent population have received their first COVID-19 “jab”.

Regarding second doses, statistics show that 58.5 per cent of the adult population are fully vaccinated, representing some 303,181 persons, while 22,080 adolescents, or 30.3 per cent of that grouping, have received the second shot, and are now categorised as being fully vaccinated.

With the exception of the Johnson and Johnson variety, two doses of AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Pfizer vaccines are required.

Dr. Anthony disclosed that some 17,461 persons have gotten their booster shots, which, according to him, has mitigated the effects of the virus.

“It is proven that once you took your booster doses, you are going to be protected, and, therefore, those persons who would have had both doses of the vaccines, we are urging that they come back and get their booster doses.

All the studies have shown that people who take their boosters are better protected,” he emphasised.

Minister Anthony highlighted that a pivotal part of the fight against COVID-19 is isolation, which helps to prevent the spread of the virus. He stated that in many cases, persons who have tested positive but have mild symptoms have made the unwise decision of continuing to interact with others, thus causing the virus to spread.

“Well, people got to be socially responsible; it is important that people take the measures. We have seen quite a few people complying, but there are also people who have total disregard for these measures. They don’t wear any masks; they don’t keep any distance, and they continue with this type of behaviour,” he added.

He reminded persons to be mindful of their environment, and to take the necessary precautions, including wearing facemasks, sanitizing, and social distancing. The health minster explained that many persons let their guard down once they are in a familiar environment, which puts them at risk.

“A lot of people believe that because they are with familiar people; their workmates and so forth, that they can take off their masks. But they cannot guarantee where those persons would have been, and how those persons would have behaved wherever they would have been, so unless you’re wearing your masks constantly, you’re going to get infected,” Minister Anthony said.

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