With 130 COVID-19 cases still active in St. Cuthbert’s Mission, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has extended the government-imposed lockdown that was instituted more than two weeks ago.
Statistics provided by the MoH indicate that 247 persons from the only indigenous community located in Region Four tested positive for the virus. Of that number, 117 persons have since been discharged while 130 remain in isolation. According to the ministry, most of the cases are asymptomatic. At least 650 persons residing in the community were tested for the virus as of Friday.
MoH spokesperson Daniel Singh yesterday told Sunday Stabroek that following an assessment of the situation in the community, the ministry has decided to extend the lockdown, which was scheduled to end on Friday, for an additional seven days.
He added that before the seven days are over, the ministry will reassess the situation and, depending on the number of active cases in the community, they will decide whether to lift or extend the lockdown for a few more days.
Food Hampers were distributed to help sustain families during the extended period of the lockdown.
However, Singh said if persons needs to leave the community to get supplies they will have to seek permission from the MoH and will have to be tested. Once their test results return negative, he said, they will be allowed to leave the community. He noted that persons are still being encouraged not to leave the community despite the provision.
Singh also said that the Joint Services are still in the community to enforce the lockdown along with two doctors and a nurse, who are monitoring COVID-19 positive patients.
Since the outbreak in the community, no COVID-19 deaths have been reported.
