Guyana currently has an adequate supply of testing kits but plans are underway to bring approximately 10,000 more into the country in early June, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative to Guyana Dr. William Adu-Krow has said.
In saying that there is currently an adequate supply of testing kits in the country, Adu-Krow told Stabroek News in a telephone interview that missing parts for some testing kits that had arrived earlier were received.
Adu-Krow stated that additionally Guyana has received more testing kits which were donated by the government of China, some that were bought by the country and also some donated from PAHO.
Adu-Krow said that during the early part of June, Guyana should be receiving approximately 10,000 more testing kits.
Meanwhile, he also said with testing significantly ramped up recently, it is likely to stay at that level for some time.
He praised the record number of 75 persons tested between the periods of May 17th and May 18th. “Now testing has increased and I believe it is likely to stay at that level for a while,” he added.
He revealed that the criteria for testing has not changed significantly even as a substantial amount of Guyana’s recorded cases are asymptomatic. However, he said that health authorities are making sure that persons who are likely to have been exposed to the virus and are vulnerable are tested. Those persons include those who were in contact with a confirmed case as well as persons with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and persons who are immuno-compromised. He noted that available data currently shows that some 37% of cases represent persons who are asymptomatic and therefore more still needs to be done.
