– one person remains in the ICU
Twelve (12) new COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Guyana, the Ministry of Public Health disclosed moments ago.
The positive cases were detected after a total of 82 tests were conducted. To date, the Public Health Ministry has confirmed a total of 509 COVID-19 cases in the country of which 22 persons have lost their lives. In total, 5,097 persons were tested for the deadly disease, and of that number 4,548 persons were tested negative.
As of Wednesday, two persons were in the COVID-19 ICU, however one person has since been discharged. According to the Public Health Ministry, there are 298 persons in institutional cases and an additional 38 in Institutional Quarantine. One hundred and eighty-nine (189) persons have recorded.
In providing an update on Tuesday, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud had expressed major concern over the increasing number of cases being recorded in hinterland regions in particular Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro Siparuni), and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
“I plead with you to halt the illicit cross border movement, look out for the migrants and report their presence immediately to the Authorities; on a personal level, I ask you to co-operate and comply with the regulations of social distancing and the hygiene etiquette,” Dr Persaud had said.
He added: “Fellow Guyanese, I know that you have been following closely these daily briefs and that you are aware that our cases continue to climb especially in the hotspot areas of Regions Seven and Nine.”
He reminded persons that the coronavirus is not selective or exclusive, it’s all around, in and out of Guyana.
“So everyone, everywhere, in all the ten administrative regions needs to make that special effort to continue playing a part in spreading the message about COVID-19. There should be no letting up; complacency and worse still a laissez faire attitude can be our undoing,” said Dr. Persaud advised.
Sadly, misconceptions about COVID-19 persist- including that the disease doesn’t exist, that wearing a mask causes the disease, and even testing brings about the disease. These are “myths,” which Dr. Persaud said need to be dispelled, if Guyana is going to “break the back of the camel,” not only in Regions Seven and Nine, but in every community.
He, on behalf of the Public Health Ministry, made a clarion call for all persons operating in Guyana to adhere to the guidelines instituted to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
