Deadly coronavirus new variants

The United Kingdom (UK) was the first to announce it has found a new variant to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which is more transmissible. This strain is said to be highly contagious and scientists have confirmed that it is 50-70 percent more transmissible. This means that people are more likely now than before to catch the virus. The only positive from this unfortunate news is even though transmission rate is higher the present COVID-19 vaccines are said to be just as effective in combating the virus.

According to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson the country is at a level five and is presently locked down through mid-February. South Africa, Australia, the United States, and India have also detected the same strain, though South Africa’s is reportedly more dangerous than the UK’s variant. Some countries have reacted to the new strains by putting travel restrictions in place. On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the variant is in his state.

Guyanese can remember the virus came to Guyana in March by a New York based Guyanese. Many resident Guyanese in New York also contracted the virus and died. Guyana has reason to be concerned about this strain arriving here. Would travellers from the countries where the new strains are found be denied entry into Guyana as other countries are doing? It would help should the Ministry of Health address these issues as a matter of urgency. Guyanese at home need to be assured the government has systems in place to keep them safe.

Some symptoms of COVID-19 are like the regular cold and fever. Where ours is a culture to self-medicate or take herbal treatment as first choice, sufficient to speculate infectious persons may be flying under the radar, spreading the virus,  like those who are asymptomatic. There is also concern that the elderly, whom the virus is more likely to attack given existing comorbidities, are not getting the deserving attention or care from the Ministry. It does not help to see them as a statistic and their deaths expected. Everybody can fight the virus through prevention and/or proper treatment and should have the benefit of that fighting chance.

Daily news of deaths, more particularly the elderly, is not encouraging. There are concerns that Guyana’s numbers are going in the wrong direction and a true picture remains elusive. Consequently, there is reason to fear they are more persons infected than are being declared. The absence of a universal and fool proof testing system does not allay the fear. It was observed Region Six announced it is COVID-19 free but the accuracy of the news, in the absence of mandatory testing, is anyone’s guess.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has recently announced the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be in Guyana by the second quarter. This means from now until at least April Guyanese cannot afford to let their guard down. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention remains the watchword. It is deserving to be repeated, fighting this pandemic requires all hands on deck. None is immune. The virus does not discriminate against anyone, irrespective of region, age, race, political association, class or economic status.

Guyana’s management of this pandemic should have been a national concerted effort. It is not too late to pursue this strategy. The pandemic is not the sole responsibility of government but all and it remains shortsighted and unfortunate to see it otherwise.  There is also the impression some have become desensitised or fatigue with observing the guidelines and are throwing caution to the wind.  Citizens are urged to continue to observe the guidelines for your health and safety is the health and safety of your spouse, partner, family and friends.