Minister of Education Priya Manickchand yesterday confirmed that following the resumption of the new school term two school teachers in Region Four tested positive for COVID-19 and students are being tested.
According to Manickchand, the teachers are attached to the St. Rose’s High School and the Diamond Secondary School. They tested positive this past week.
Manickchand added that since the cases were confirmed, the Ministry of Health has set up testing hubs at the schools and the students who may have been in contact with the teachers are being tested there. Testing started yesterday.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on January 8 said that 30 students, 11 teachers and 13 axillary staff from dormitory schools across the country, tested positive for the coronavirus. At that time those were the only persons who are returning to schools being tested.
On Thursday, Anthony said that according to information acquired by his ministry, a total of 537 children in Guyana have had COVID-19. He broke this figure down by disclosing that for ages 0-5, there have been 114 children; for ages 5-9, 176 children; and for ages 10 to 14, a total of 247 children tested positive. Dr. Anthony also said that “children are generally asymptomatic,” hence most children receive testing after contact tracing is done following another person being positive. He noted that no serious ailments have been reported among children.
