Forty-one persons were tested yesterday for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – the highest daily figure – even as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Representative to Guyana called again for the ramping up of testing in the country.
During an update yesterday on Guyana’s COVID-19 statistics, de facto Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, stated that 519 persons have now been tested for the virus while the number of positive confirmed cases has increased by three to 78. The number of persons who have recovered from COVID-19 in Guyana thus far has increased to 18 while another 18 persons are now in institutional quarantine and 52 are in institutional isolation.
With that Lawrence added that Georgetown continues to be the epicentre of the virus with the positive cases so far identified as coming from communities in North and South Georgetown. Those communities in North Georgetown are: Kitty, Sophia, Turkeyen, Liliendaal, Cummings Lodge, Alberttown and Cummingsburg. While cases from South Georgetown came from Bourda, Lamaha Park, South Ruimveldt and Thirst Park. Further, Lawrence during the update, reiterated that the cases come from several of the densely populated areas within the city and as such again urged residents to adhere to the measures put in place by the authorities.
Dr William Adu-Krow, PAHO representative to Guyana, believes that testing for the disease in Guyana has somewhat improved but there is still more work to be done. “I think also there’s a need to increase the testing, just that for now we’ve been going by the PAHO/WHO guidelines for testing,” Dr Adu-Krow said while adding that in Guyana some 25% of the confirmed cases are persons who did not display the traditional symptoms that would warrant testing.
The representative told Stabroek News that as a result of that, the guidelines for testing will be seriously looked at as there was a possibility that those persons would have gone under the radar if authorities did not test outside of those guidelines. “So the guidelines for the testing is seriously going to be looked at to suit our conditions so that it can be said that a lot more persons can fit the criteria for testing. So testing has to be ramped up if we are really to have a firm control on the condition.
Dr Adu-Krow disclosed that a few cases of COVID-19 were discovered around a particular hotel resulting in a decision to test those persons that were in that hotel. This, he said, can be used as an example of persons not fitting the testing criteria, however, because a number of cases came from a particular place they had to be tested. “So when they tested, it yielded a high positive rate so it means that we need to be doing more of that” he said.
For weeks the authorities here have been urged to up the amount of tests done.
Additionally he noted that PAHO has already requested 5000 more testing kits which cost about $10 million, however the organisation is hoping to increase the number of testing kits requested to 10,000. With that he said that 7,000 testing kits were already sent previously however, not all “parts” of the testing kits were included and as such they are making provisions to have all of the parts of the testing kits in the country. “If we get all those things there, we can ramp up the testing so that anybody who needs to get tested should be tested.
Mobile units
He also related to Stabroek News that the mobile units that were deployed by the Ministry of Public Health will aid in increasing testing in Guyana. The PAHO Representative in giving an example of how it can be helpful, said that persons who called the COVID-19 hotlines and never got through should make use of the mobile units. He said that they will be able to report their conditions and then go through a triage and then be told if they are likely to be a case of COVID-19 and subsequently tested. “I think it’s going to clear the way for persons who are frustrated with the telephone calls as well as also increase the testing.
Meanwhile, Dr Adu-Krow noted that as the number of COVID-19 patients around the world has increased, PAHO/WHO from day one has said that there is a need for mental health support for persons who would have tested positive for the virus or even person who are suspected cases of the virus.
He went on to say that local authorities have been giving psychosocial counselling, however, it should be moved to psychosocial support which he described as “holding their hands and helping them move forward with their conditions. So for instance if I have been in quarantine for a month, obviously I need more support than counseling”, Dr Adu-Krow explained, while adding that at a meeting he recently attended with local health authorities it was stated that there is the possibility of providing more psychosocial support, even in person. So far, he said, psychosocial support has only been provided over the phone.
Furthermore, during the COVID-19 update, Dr Util Thomas, director of the mental health unit at the Ministry of Public Health gave tips to members of the public as it relates to coping during the pandemic. Dr Thomas encouraged persons to speak with someone that they trust about the issues that they may be facing during this time as she said that just talking about your problems can help. “When we talk about a problem, our brain releases chemicals which eases the symptoms of stress,” Dr Thomas said and even added that we should also be open to listening to other persons. She urged persons to ensure that they are aware of the help that is available in their communities and the country at large.
“Your problems are going to feel much more manageable and you will feel much more hopeful and confident about getting through this pandemic if you are well informed of available supports,” the director added. She further advised that persons in their day-to-day routine should not fill their time with “unrealistic tasks that you may not be able to accomplish,” instead she said that persons should prioritize and focus on those tasks that can be easily completed to reduce stress and increase a person’s sense of achievement.
Members of the public were advised to set aside time for themselves every day because when personal time is neglected, everything suffers and as such it was recommended that persons should restart hobbies and stay connected with families, friends, and other social groups that they may be involved in.
