Now that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing capacity in Guyana has been boosted, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has said that the testing of persons who are not showing symptoms of the disease will recommence soon.
In August, the Ministry had offered testing to anyone who wished to be tested even if they did not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19. However, a few weeks later, the ministry changed the criteria for COVID-19 testing and was only allowing symptomatic persons and persons who had been in contact with a positive COVID-19 patient to be tested.
During an interview last week, Anthony said, “Very shortly we will be opening back testing again because as you know we have been adding more capacity to the laboratory. We now have that extractor so we would be opening up back and we would want to encourage more people who believe that they have been exposed to the virus to get tested.”
In addition, he said the ministry is contemplating to either have mobile testing units travel to areas on the coast so persons can be tested or create testing sites in each of the coastal regions so persons who are desirous of getting tested can visit them.
“This is in the planning stage and we haven’t made firm decisions as yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anthony emphasised that the best way to reduce the COVID-19 infections in Region Four and by extension Guyana is to wear a mask. Out of all the COVID-19 preventative measures, he said, mask wearing has proven to be the most effective. He revealed that the ministry has evaluated several places where mask wearing seems predominant and it has proven to be extremely effective.
However, he noted, it is up to persons to ensure that they are wearing their masks. “It can’t be government alone trying to do it, it’s got to be everybody participating in it and everybody has a role to play,” he added.
