Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said despite the influx of persons for the first-ever cricket carnival and Guyana’s hosting of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this year, there has been no major increase in COVID-19 cases.
Guyana has no proper way of tracking COVID-19 infections. Where many have to pay for a test, which would allow for recording, they forego this and rely on herbal treatment. A COVID-19 test in Guyana ranges from $4,000 to as much as $10,000 depending on where persons live and the type of the test they want or could afford.
With spiralling costs of living Guyanese are ignoring health needs to keep a roof over their heads and feed the family.
Speaking during Monday’s COVID-19 update, the minister stated that for the year, so far, Guyana has recorded 31, 329 cases, with January recording the highest at 19, 900 cases.
In February the number was 2,570, in March 379, and in April 267. There has been a recorded increase in May to 1,686 cases, in June to 2, 715 and a decline in numbers therefore stated the minister.
He continues to urge persons to wear their masks and to integrate regular preventative measures into their daily lives.
“There are still people who are infected with COVID, and while we have been tracking 47 cases, this is probably an under-estimation because there are lots of people who might have flu-like symptoms which are now the typical symptoms of COVID and they can easily infect other people. The idea is that if you want to remain safe, you should wear a mask,” the minister pointed out.
