TWO men, both 56 and from Region One (Barima-Waini), are the latest casualties of COVID-19 recorded here in Guyana, taking the total number of persons to have died of the virus so far to 89.

Samples were taken from the men on admission to a public health facility, and they subsequently came back positive.

This comes even as the total number of cases recorded in Guyana has risen to 3093, following the recording of 88 new ones, according to the Ministry of Health’s October 4 COVID-19 Dashboard.

Some 202 tests were returned over the last 24 hours. A total of 14, 815 persons have been tested to date in Guyana.

An additional 13 persons have recovered from the virus, taking the country’s total recovery to 1920. The number of persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has dropped from 18 down to 15.  Some 152 persons are in institutional isolation, while 65 are in institutional quarantine, and another 920 are on home quarantine.

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) continues to account for the most recorded new cases, with 59 of 88 coming from that region.  Sixteen of the new cases are from Region One, while seven are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and four are from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) each recorded one new case.
Some 1,651 men in Guyana have been confirmed COVID-19-positive.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Health has expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased, and noted that every effort will be made to provide all the necessary support to them during this difficult time, and to render any assistance they may need.

“Officials of the ministry have contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead person. The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and her family and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace,” the statement said.

Considering these numbers, persons were encouraged to take extra precaution because there is no approved cure or specific treatment for the disease. Guyanese were also reminded to observe the protocols established in the COVID-19 emergency measures.