Following the testing of 40 more persons, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday that Guyana’s COVID-19 cases remain at 153.
This was revealed on Monday afternoon during the Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19 up-date, which was presented by Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, who reported that the number of persons tested so far has increased to 1658.
In continuing the report on Guyana’s current COVID-19 situation, she noted that 71 persons are currently in institutional isolation, two persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 23 persons are in institutional quarantine and 70 persons have recovered. The number of deaths as a result of the disease remain the same at 12.
Hamilton noted that this is the 11th week since the index case was recorded and so far only three regions have not recorded any positive cases—Two, Five and Eight.
Regional Health Officer for Region Five Dr. Desmond Nicholson also spoke during the update and said that a number of public health measures have been put in place to guard against the spread of the virus in his region. He stated that they have taken strategies that include early screening, diagnosis and even contact investigations, among others. Dr. Nicholson stated that in his region authorities are involved in vigorous surveillance reporting and the follow up of each case of acute respiratory illness that has been reported at all health institutions.
The RHO stated that persons entering or passing through the region are screened as there are three checkpoints in the region. “All commuters are screened for elevated body temperatures,” he said. A 22-bed quarantine facility was set up to house persons within the region who were exposed to COVID-19, while a number of areas at the Mahaicony Hospital were designated to operate for institutional isolation. He added that six staff members were trained in taking COVID-19 samples.
He then encouraged residents of the region to follow the curfew guidelines put in place along with the other public health measures, which include physical and social distancing, wearing face masks and sanitising regularly. Dr. Nicholson urged persons to contact the regional hotlines if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus.
