GUYANA has lost yet another life to the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 142.
The Ministry of Health identified the recent victim as being a 66-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The pensioner, prior to this demise, was receiving treatment at a local medical facility.
The ministry expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.
Officials of the health ministry have also contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone, who might have been exposed to the victim.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities.

In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, co-morbidity is each additional condition.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract the virus will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care.
Guyana, on Wednesday, recorded 24 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of cases recorded in Guyana to 4,914. Of that number, 3,962 persons have recovered so far.

Information provided by the Ministry of Health showed that the cases were recorded in Region Four (eight cases), Region Six (one case), Region Seven (one case) and Region Eight (14 cases).

Eight persons remain in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 105 persons are in institutional isolation; 53 in institutional quarantine and 697 persons are in home isolation.

A total of 25,756 persons have been tested for the disease thus far. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Eight) will expire on November 30, 2020 unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.
As per these measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The curfew is now 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.