Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock believes removing gold mining as an essential service would help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Region Nine and he says recent cases in the North Rupununi have originated from a mining area in Region Eight.
According to the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine Carl Parker, there are 36 active cases of COVID-19 in the region.
Parker told Stabroek News that the region has recorded a total of 41 cases. However, four persons have since recovered while one person has died. The communities that have recorded COVID-19 cases are Potarinau, Quiko, Katuur, Sand Creek, and Baitoon in the South Central Rupununi and Aranaputa, Annai and Wowetta in the North Rupununi.