Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has now officially recorded 37 cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Providing an update on the COVID-19 situation in the region, Regional Health Officer Dr. Edward Sagala, by way of a statement released through the Regional Democratic Council, confirmed one new case in the township of Bartica.
As a result, Bartica now has six confirmed cases of COVID-19, while the region has a total of 37 cases. This makes Region Seven the region with the second highest number of active cases. Most of the cases in the region were recorded in the mining district of Aranka.
When contacted yesterday, Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall told Stabroek News that persons continue to travel to the interior and the first case that was recorded was someone who visited a mining area in Middle Mazaruni and later returned.
Additionally he said that the challenges that are being faced in the Middle Mazaruni area are “trickling down” to Bartica. As a result, Marshall stated that sensitisation programmes are continuing in the region and in the town with miners, so as to emphasise the importance of adhering to safety measures.
Marshall noted that one issue which is of deep concern to officials is the fact that foreign nationals continue to cross the borders and enter into the region. While he added that he would not be able to confirm that the challenges faced in the Mazaruni area are as a result of persons crossing the border, he said it is something that should be looked into by the relevant authorities.
“We’re not going to say stop mining, we’re not going to say don’t allow the foreigners to come in but we’re asking each and every one to be responsible and treat everyone as a positive case and to do that you’re going to adhere to the precautionary measures,” Marshall stated.
In addition, he noted that it would be hard to stop mining in the region as it is dependent on the mining industry.
Marshall also pointed out that the issue of persons not adhering to the measures seems to be a countrywide phenomenon as some persons within his town do not practice social distancing or wear face masks.
The statement by the Regional Health Officer stated that “The casual, unconcerned attitude of Barticians towards this deadly disease is mind-boggling. Simply put, most residents seem not to care.”
However, Marshall stated that while that challenge exists, the township will continue to emphasise the need for adherence to the safety measures while he added that it is critical to ensure that the virus is controlled and not “trickling through our borders”.
