Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock is attributing the control of the spread of COVID-19 in the region to strict enforcement of the COVID-19 emergency measures.
In August, there was a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Region Nine. As a result, government prohibited non-essential travel to and from the region while residents were required to wear masks in public, adhere to a 6pm to 6am curfew and gatherings of more than five persons were prohibited. Allicock stated that while a significant number of cases were also recorded in September, most of the persons who had received confirmation of their positive results had already recovered as they were tested at the beginning of August but due to a testing backlog they did not receive their results until a month later.
He noted that with special measures in place for the region, all that was left to do was to ensure that those measures were followed. One of the first steps regional officials took, he said, was to send a draft of the measures to all the toshaos in the region. The toshaos were instructed to explain the contents of the draft and warn residents that if they disregarded any of the measures they would be penalized.
This was done and Allicock said the majority of persons living in indigenous communities in the regions adhered to the measures because their respective leaders explained why it was necessary and what the consequences would be for disobedience. However, there are a few persons who continue to disobey the measures. “It is up to the leaders to ensure that these measures are followed and while there are still a few persons who are disregarding these measures, many are adhering and this has allowed us to have some control over the spreading of the disease because travel is limited within the region,” he said.
Allicock added that members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stationed in the region has also played a significant role in ensuring that the measures were being followed. He disclosed that as a result of constant patrols, numerous persons were charged and ordered to pay a fine for not adhering to the measures. It was, he noted, the combination of the strict enforcement of the measures on the part of the GPF and the actions of the regional officials that was largely responsible for the decline in COVID-19 cases.
He also observed that residents are ensuring that they wear their masks when in public, which has also contributed to the containment of the disease.
As a result, the region only has a few active cases to date. “We still have some people breaking and disregarding the measures but I’m happy how we are doing. No reports of new positive cases for the past few days,” he said.
He noted that majority of the recent cases are from the North Rupununi while few are from the Central and South Central Rupununi, but the rest of areas are basically COVID-19 free.
However, he added, that they have sent 27 samples to Georgetown to be tested and are currently awaiting those results so it is possible that the number of positive cases might increase, but for now they can handle the cases.
Allicock, however, is cautioning residents to not let their guard down and to continue following all preventative measures. Region Nine recorded a total of 355 COVID-19 cases up to yesterday, inclusive of four deaths and although it only has a few active cases on record, it is still required to follow COVID-19 measures that were outlined in the Official Gazette for specific regions.
Apart from Region Nine, only regions Seven and Eight are required to follow those specific measures, which include a restriction on non-essential travel.
Region One lockdowns
Meanwhile, while not being on the list of regions required to observe special measures, Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashely on Friday disclosed that the four indigenous communities in the region that recorded the majority of COVID-19 cases will have lockdowns effected from today.
According to the daily COVID-19 dashboard, none more COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region yesterday, bringing its total to 459. Up to the time this newspaper spoke with Ashely, he disclosed that the region had 94 active COVID-19 cases, which are from the Moruca sub-district, the Mabaruma sub-district and the Matarakai sub-district.
He stated that although they had plans to commence mass screening of senior citizens in the region, this has been postponed due to the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases in Arukamai, St Anselm, Arakaka and Sebai. These communities are located in the Mabaruma and Matarakai sub-districts.
“We are currently focusing on four communities where we have had a number of positive cases coming from and because of the closeness of the communities we are doing mass screening and swabbing where necessary,” he explained.
The decision to impose lockdowns in the communities was taken by the Regional COVID-19 Task Force based on advice from the Regional Health Officer. No one will be allowed to travel to and from the communities with the exception of healthcare workers and members of the joint services for seven days. The lockdown will be effective from Sunday.
Ashely added that they have put plans in place to sustain residents of the communities although persons will be allowed to go to their farms and fishing areas as long as they observe the nationwide curfew. “We ensured that communities received their $25,000 COVID-19 relief plus we have given them a food hamper and immune [system] boosters,” he assured.
