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….two staff test positive recently
….more results expected this week
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs on Monday conducted mass COVID-19 testing of its staff on Monday.
Though Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, in a telephone interview with Village Voice News on Monday evening, said the tests were routine, reliable sources have indicated that the tests were conducted amid concerns that a number of persons maybe infected with the virus.
“I have not been told that many of the staff have been tested positive,” Minister Sukhai said while noting that the results are due within three days. She, however, admitted that prior to Monday, at least two staff members were tested positive. “We have two staff that have tested positive,” the Amerindian Affairs Minister said.
Concerns continue to mount over the large number of persons infected with COVID-19. To date, 258 persons have died from the virus in Guyana. Further, statistics coming out of the Ministry of Health indicate that more than 11,000 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 since it was detected here in Guyana more than a year ago. As of Monday, 17 persons were in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 74 persons are in institutional isolation and another 1,090 in home isolation.
President Irfaan Ali on Monday said that Guyanese need to understand that the COVID-19 pandemic can only be managed appropriately if persons act responsibly.
“…The people have a responsibility too. Guyanese have to understand this is not a joke; this is their lives they are playing with.”
President Ali made the statement following the Local Government Commission’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday while fielding questions from the media.
The Head of State noted that the COVID-19 Task Force has greatly increased their efforts by carrying out more aggressive patrols aimed at persons breaching the guidelines.
“The only other thing now is to have the courts play a role in sentencing people, but we have really stepped up. The Task Force is doing a good job. They are out there every single night until three to four in the morning.”
The President pointed to the importance of persons understanding how their actions will impact the lives of others.
“If you don’t understand that your life has value, then at least understand that your actions will impact other persons’ lives and appreciate the value that other people place on their lives. It is time for us to understand that sometimes we have to take responsibility, and this is a case and scenario in which we have to exercise that responsibility.”
