There is one new confirmed case of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Guyana as 14 more persons have been tested for the virus.
This was revealed yesterday during the Ministry of Public Health’s daily COVID-19 update by Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services, who stated that the number of confirmed cases now stand at 75 even as some 15 persons have so far recovered from the virus.
A total of 14 more persons were tested for the virus, bringing the number of persons tested to 478, while 52 are now in institutional isolation and 19 in institutional quarantine. The number of deaths as a result of the virus remained at eight.
Giving a breakdown, Dr. Hamilton stated that of the 478 persons who were tested, 53% were males and the remainder females.
Even as 15 persons have so far recovered in Guyana from the coronavirus, studies are still ongoing around the world to ascertain if those persons can be re-infected by the disease and so far health authorities locally and internationally do not know if it is possible for persons to become re-infected after recovering. An article from the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no evidence to date to support whether Rapid Diagnostic Tests detecting antibodies can predict whether an individual was immune to reinfection with the COVID-19 virus.
According to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, after someone is infected with the virus, they would have some kind of immunity after recovery for some period of time. “At least for a period of time, just after you had the infection, you have antibodies so you have some kind of immunity. How long the immunity lasts for? I don’t know as yet. The fact that you had the disease means that you would have antibodies,” she said, while adding that they are yet to know how long the antibodies would stay in the body. “Whether you can become infected again? We don’t know. Whether the antibodies protect you for life? We don’t know,” Dr. Gordon-Boyle added.
She said that persons will have to have some antibodies to provide some immunity, but it is still unknown whether it is enough to prevent an infection overall or to have the next infection milder than before.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer further related to Stabroek News that added to the treatment that COVID-19 patients currently receive for their symptoms, they also receive psychosocial and mental health support if necessary. She noted that a number of persons have been anxious, afraid and are worried about what will happen to them and therefore those persons are referred to the mental health department for support and counselling. Additionally she mentioned that she is not aware if the families of COVID-19 patients and even suspected cases would have made use of the mental health services made available to them.
Dr. Gordon-Boyle also revealed that even during the pandemic, there will be a continuation of vaccination for the seasonal flu and other illnesses. It is currently Vaccination Week in the Americas.
She noted vaccinations will continue as usual for persons who need those vaccines, while adding that the flu vaccine was available in Guyana earlier this year. This is being done so as to separate those persons who may have the flu or flu-like symptoms and feel as though they have the coronavirus.
