After a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana was reported over the weekend, no new results were released on Monday.
As a result, the total number of cases recorded in the country since March remains at 474 and the number of persons tested so far remains at 4,893. There are still 268 persons in institutional isolation.
The number of deaths as a result of the virus remains at 21, even as no new recoveries were recorded. Three persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. There are 38 persons under institutional quarantine. A large majority of the cases that were recorded over the weekend were from Region Nine, while the others were from Region Seven.
During the Ministry of Public Health’s live update, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud stated that within 72 hours a significant increase in the total number of cases was recorded, with some 73 cases being recorded from July 31st to Sunday. He did not explain why new test results were not released.
With that increase over the weekend, Regional Health Officer for Region Seven Dr. Edward Sagala, in a statement, said that the COVID-19 situation in the region has gotten worse as persons continue to flout COVID-19 measures.
“The situation in Arau, Oku, Arangoy, Devil’s Hole and Bartica has not improved and is getting much worse by the day,” he said. These are among the areas in the region that have been subjected to lockdowns under the most recent COVID-19 measures. As of August 2nd, Region Seven recorded 95 cases in total and two deaths.
Dr. Sagala, in the statement, also noted that there were only nine test kits on hand in the region.
Additionally, he said that cases have now been recorded in Batavia, Falmouth and Big Hope. He noted that out of 15 samples recently taken from residents in Batavia, ten of those results came back positive.
The Chief Medical Officer during the Ministry of Public Health’s update urged persons to be careful and adhere to the COVID-19 regulations and to desist from the illegal cross border movement, to which he attributed the rise in cases. Further, he urged residents to report illegal immigrants.
