The Toshao of Warapoka in Region One, Alan Henry yesterday said that the COVID-19 infection rate in the community of 500 may be much higher as not much testing is being done.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Henry explained that no new case of the virus was recorded over the past few weeks but a few days ago, a resident travelled to the Region One community of Santa Rosa and was tested for the virus. When the result returned, it revealed that the person was infected with the virus and he was subsequently isolated.
He stressed that although the Barima/Waini community was COVID-19 free a few days prior, this case proves that it isn’t so. He stated that the village council believes that there may be numerous undetected cases in the community and this is a result of testing not being done.
Henry noted that the only persons who are tested for the virus are those who were in contact with a positive case adding that there may be many asymptomatic cases in the community going undetected and while nobody has died, it may not be long before a vulnerable person contracts the virus and succumbs.
The Toshao said that the village council is planning to request that mass testing be done in the community. “Based on what we know is happening, there is a need for mass testing and this needs to be done before it’s too late because we don’t want anybody to die,” he stated.
Region One has at least 38 active COVID-19 cases of which Warapoka currently has at least five active COVID-19 cases
