Of the 103 confirmed COVID-19 deaths reported in Guyana since the start of the local outbreak, 18 are from Region One, according to Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, who has said that majority of the fatal cases are elderly persons from the Mabaruma and Matarkai sub-districts.
Seven-day lockdowns were initiated last week Sunday in Arukamai, St Anselm, Arakaka and Sebai, which are located in the two sub-districts, to stem the spread of the disease.
Ashley stated that after the lockdowns, the region plans to begin screening elderly persons in the regions. He said protocols have already been put in place and a team from each sub-district will travel to their respective communities to conduct screening and to test persons if necessary so that infected vulnerable persons can get the care they need before it’s too late.
The Regional Chairman also revealed that the region currently has at least 63 active COVID-19 cases. A total of 367 persons have recovered thus far and Ashley explained that although the Health Ministry is reporting 530 COVID-19 confirmed cases in the region so far, about 69 of those cases represent
residents who tested positive for COVID-19 in other regions.
