Confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana rose to four yesterday after three persons, all linked to the 52-year-old woman who died from the illness last week, returned positive tests.
Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence confirmed the news yesterday, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported. The report said that the three COVID-19 patients include the husband of the woman who died from the virus last week, her son and another person living at their residence on the East Coast Demerara.
Tests were conducted after the trio began experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 after only two days of being quarantined.
Guyana confirmed its first imported case of COVID-19 on March 11, 2020.
On March 5th, the now deceased woman, along with her husband and at least one of her children travelled from New York to Guyana. After falling ill, the woman went to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, where she was advised to go to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). While at the public hospital, the woman presented uncontrollable diabetic and hypertension conditions which saw her having to be resuscitated. While the resuscitation succeeded, she died at about 8am on March 11th. At that time, her death was attributed to diabetes and hypertension.
However, after learning about her travel history, health officials ordered that a COVID-19 test be done. As a result, a sample was collected and sent to National Public Health Reference Laboratory. It was later confirmed that the test was positive for COVID-19.
Her family members were informed and were self-quarantined, along with dozens of others who had contact with the woman.
“They are all under regular surveillance by public health specialists. Tests on the other household members over the last two days revealed that the three had contracted the virus [which was] discovered last year in Wuhan, China,” the DPI report said.
Stabroek News was told that over 50 persons are still in quarantine and up to yesterday, displayed no symptoms of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Regional Health Officer of Region Seven, Dr Edward Sagala, has denied claims that there was a possible case of COVID-19 in the region after it was reported that a receptionist from a nearby resort was hospitalised in Bartica after she began experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Sagala said the woman complained of flu-like symptoms and was quarantined but as of yesterday, her condition was improving.
The Ministry of Public Health is advising persons, if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, to immediately call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 227 4986 ext. 215 (from 8am – 4:30pm) and 624 6674 or 624 2819 (from 4:30pm to 8am). It urged that travel history be shared accurately with health care providers.
Activated
Meanwhile, the Health Emergency Operating Centre was activated last week by the health ministry as part of a broader menu of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The ministry will be sending health teams to the homes of those with COVID-19 symptoms for assessment and initiation of public health measures, after which they will identify and implement contact tracing for all possible exposed persons. They will also be holding meetings with public health officials and staff members of the country’s health facilities to ensure all necessary infection control measures are in place.
The Mayor of Mabaruma Chris Phang, meantime, has raised concerns about the systems in place at the Region One border after Venezuela announced two cases of COVID-19 in that country. Phang said health officials are yet to contact them on how to deal with potential COVID-19 cases. In fact, he said, nothing has been done in the region to prepare for potential cases but now that there are confirmed cases in Venezuela, he may have to call a meeting with the town council tomorrow given that Venezuelans have been coming into the country through that district. He noted that he has been in constant contact with the Regional Executive Officer, who never once mentioned the presence of any health officials in the region.
Last week, Surinamese authorities closed all ports of entry after recording one case of COVID-19 while Brazilians who reside in the State of Roraima, have been calling on the authorities to close the border crossing with this country after Guyana reported its first confirmed case.
Simao De Oliveira, who resides in Boa Vista, told Stabroek News that authorities are cautioning them against going to Lethem since there is a high possibility that the border will soon be closed. In the meantime, additional Brazilian Federal police have been deployed to Bom Fim, the town next to the Takutu Bridge, to tighten security. However, up to yesterday, the border remained open.
Additional precautionary measures were also implemented subsequent to the confirming of the first COVID-19 case. President David Granger held a meeting on Friday with ministers and a team of medical professionals to coordinate an action plan in response to the presence of COVID-19 in the country. The medical team included Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Deputy CMO Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle; Collette Adams, who is the Permanent Secretary of the health ministry; Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, the Director of Medical and Professional Services at the GPH; and Dr Tracey Bovell, a Mass Casualty Specialist at the GPH, as well as Dr William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO’s Country Representative.
During the meeting, a ministerial task force, which will be led by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, was formed. Other members include Lawrence; Minister of Education Nicolette Henry; Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams SC; Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix.
Meanwhile, the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association announced yesterday that the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo, which was scheduled for April 11th and 12th at the Triple R Rodeo ground in Lethem, has been cancelled due to rising concerns about COVID-19.
Most private but all public schools will also be closing for two weeks from tomorrow.
Meantime, while the WHO’s website has listed Guyana as having six cases of COVID-19, Gordon-Boyle said that this number is inaccurate. As of last night, there are three active cases of COVID-19 in Guyana.
