The recent increase in novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Bartica is the result of residents refusing to adhere to preventative measures, according to Mayor Gifford Marshall, who says the region has since recommended the reinstatement of a 12-hour curfew and restrictions on non-essential movement.
As of yesterday, Region Seven had a total of 72 active COVID-19 cases, with Bartica accounting for 65 of that number. The region also recorded 11 deaths due to COVID-19, of which 7 are Bartica residents.
In a statement earlier this week, the Deputy Regional Health Officer (DRHO) disclosed that there has been a spike in cases over the last two weeks, with a number of school children and teachers testing positive for the virus. As a result, Bartica is once again a COVID-19 hotspot in Region Seven.
In an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Marshall described the rise in COVID-19 cases within the town as disappointing and unfortunate but added that the recent development merely reflects a trend that officials have been noticing over the past couple of weeks.
“We will have to continue to plead with our residents to ensure that they understand that they have an important role to play in this crisis that we are in. Irresponsible behaviour and irresponsible actions are what is resulting in this pandemic taking a major toll on the community… What we need is the people of Bartica to understand and by extension, the people of Region Seven to understand that they have a role to play in all of this and it’s an individual choice. Despite being in the middle of a pandemic we still see gatherings and people going about walking without masks and the actions [are] not reflective of a pandemic and that is very unfortunate because some of these individuals have children, babies and older persons, vulnerable persons, living in their homes,” he said.
Marshall added that bars and clubs are also opening even though COVID-19 has not been fully eradicated from the region. As a result of this daily occurrence, Marshall revealed that the Regional Task Force has recommended to the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) that the curfew be reverted to 6 pm to 6 am in Region Seven. He noted that this recommendation was only made recently but they are confident that they will hear from the task force soon and they will be guided on a way forward.
“While we are making recommendations to the task force, is an individual choice to adhere to these preventative measures and we want everyone to play their part and we believe if we do that then we will definitely see a reduction in our cases,” Marshall said before adding that the regional task force is unwilling to move to a stage where it has to charge persons for breaching the guidelines because of the effect it has had on the people. At the same time, he said if stringent measures are put in place by government, the regional body will not be afraid to enforce them.
However, he said currently it only asking for the curfew hours to return to 6 pm to 6 am and for resident’s movements to be restricted.
In addition, he said, given that Bartica is the COVID-19 hotspot in the region, the Mayor and Town Council debated whether they should send in a separate but similar recommendation to the NTCF because of the observations they have made in the town. How-ever, this was decided against and so they will wait on the response the regional task force will receive.
“We believe that adjusting the curfew measures, restricting the movement of people in the township and preventing large gatherings can help to curb the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
The Mayor went on to say that COVID-19 is not only affecting the health of Region Seven residents but also, the health sector, which is currently under strain. He noted that the last person who died from Bartica was very young and it is important for persons to realise than there are many vulnerable persons living in the area.
“We believe that for a small region, in terms of population, the death rate is way too high and so again we are calling the residents of our town to be responsible. Please adhere to Public Health measures and if you don’t it will be reflected in the COVID-19 statistics,” he concluded.
