Up to Friday, 15 new novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were confirmed in Region One, where the total number of active cases has risen to 60.
Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley confirmed the alarming rise in the numbers of cases when contacted by Sunday Stabroek yesterday.
On Friday, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud had announced that 15 additional cases had been confirmed. Ashley said all 15 cases originated from Region one.
He said 14 of the cases were from Santa Rosa, while one was from the township of Mabaruma. Mabaruma had recorded its first case in April. That patient has since recovered.
Mayor of the town Chris Phang revealed that the new patient, who is a teacher, travelled from Santa Rosa to Mabaruma a few days ago. He noted that the patient was in contact with a teacher from Santa Rosa, who has also tested positive for the disease. Additionally, he stated although travel has been restricted between the town and Santa Rosa, persons continue to traverse back and forth between the areas.
Santa Rosa has recorded 60 cases of COVID-19, inclusive of one death and one recovery, according to the figures given by Ashley.
The Toshao of the community, Whanita Phillips, was placed in quarantine after one of her relatives tested positive for the disease. Over 100 persons have been placed in quarantine in the community, including several policeman and health care workers.
The region has been struggling to enforce health measures to prevent the spread of the virus, while concerns have been voiced about the facilities available for the recovery of patients.
As a result of the overwhelmed isolation facilities, the Health Ministry last week decided to erect housing units for isolation at the Sheba sports ground in Huradiah, one of the scattered communities located in Santa Rosa.
The decision to erect the units in the area was not welcomed by the residents living close to the sports ground. Additionally, a regional official said that while portable bathrooms and washroom facilities were also being erected at the area, there is still the issue of a water supply system. In order to get water, patients would have to leave the sports ground and residents are deeply concerned about that.
