– No new cases detected

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANA has again gone 24 hours without a new case of the Novel Coronavirus, but two of the existing cases have turned severe, and those persons have since been admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The country has consistently recorded “bittersweet” developments over the past few days, but positive indicators, though minute, have given Guyana hope that the fight against COVID-19 is bearing fruit.

Health authorities have conducted no new tests within the past 24 hours, but to date, some 1,959 persons have been tested for the disease, with the results showing that 1,800 persons were negative and 159 positive.

Of the total number of those who presented with the virus, 99 have recovered, and 12 have lost the battle, but there are 48 active cases, 46 of whom are in institutional isolation, while the remaining two are in the COVID-19 ICU.

Health authorities remain watchful, especially as children have returned to school to prepare for the upcoming National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), and Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.

“Today, our children at the Grade Six and CXC levels return to school to prepare for their respective examinations scheduled to begin in July. I encourage all students, teachers, auxiliary staff, parents and guardians to continue to have that dialogue as often as possible. Remember to follow all guidelines to protect everyone,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud on Monday during one of his regular virtual COVID-19 updates.

“To you our teachers, the Ministry of Public Health wishes to reiterate special thanks to you for responding to the call during this COVID-19 pandemic to assist in preparing our Nation’s children,” he added.

Besides the upcoming examinations, health authorities are also cognisant of the fact that there is now a host of Guyanese who’d been either living abroad or gone there on vacation when the virus struck, and have since been repatriated within the past two weeks.

WELCOME HOME
Dr. Persaud welcomed those persons home, but seized the opportunity to remind them about the importance of being tested for COVID-19, using the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method, since the health authorities here are not accepting the rapid- test results.

“Further, I wish to encourage those returning to take every precaution to remain safe on their arrival home, even as they are required to adhere to the week’s quarantine… Do remember to call our hotlines, use the mobile units, or one of the COVID-19 facilities, if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19,” the CMO said.

Health authorities here continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis. The potential and existing activities are part of a plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is still the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri. Health authorities are also placing emphasis on the four hinterland regions, especially now that three of them have recorded cases of COVID-19.

The need for surveillance in those regions is also important, because Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, is now rated as the COVID-19 epicentre of the Americas.

“We continue to plead with the residents of Regions One, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine to remain on high alert, recognising that our neighbours, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname, are reporting new cases,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle in a recent report.
“Residents of Region Seven, with the new cases in Venezuela, and the upsurge in your region, your vulnerability is increased. We are calling on the Toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not cross borders, and that persons from those other countries are not entering your community. Community members must report any migrant entering your community and anyone who has signs and symptoms, and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” Dr. Boyle advised.

As is evident, COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well; and, according to global statistics, there are 7.6 million cases of COVID-19, with over 427,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.