Guyana on Friday confirmed five new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
During the Ministry of Public Health’s live COVID-19 update, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle reported that five new cases were recorded out of 75 new tests that were conducted. As a result, the total number of positive cases recorded moved to 320, while the total number of tests administered is now 3,558.
There are now 145 active cases that are in institutional isolation, while eight persons are in institutional quarantine. No new deaths were recorded even as five persons remained in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Dr Gordon-Boyle reiterated that 156 persons have so far recovered, which represents roughly over 50% of all positive cases. As a result, she noted that it is an encouraging trend that has been seen even as health authorities wish to see a similar decline in the number of cases.
While noting that the further relaxation of measures is expected to take effect today, Gordon-Boyle emphasised that restrictions on social activities remain in place as do social and physical distancing measures. “I know that many of us will want to take full advantage of these new measures but please do not throw caution to the wind and behave as if the situation is back to normal,” she said while adding that COVID-19 is still a highly infectious disease and that there may be asymptomatic persons who could spread the disease further.
