Although there are no more active COVID-19 cases in Orealla and Siparuta, a member of the Regional COVID-19 Task Force in Region Six believes that this is so because residents are refusing to get tested despite having flu-like symptoms.
Over a week ago Toshao Carl Peneux expressed concern that the two communities under his administration might have a second outbreak of the virus and that the situation would be much worse as majority of the persons who recently tested positive were symptomatic.
However, when contacted by Sunday Stabroek yesterday, Penuex stated that there were no more active cases and that everyone has recovered. He then requested Dr Lerone Henry, who is in Orealla monitoring the two communities, to give a further update.
Henry immediately pointed out that although there are no active cases, it does not mean that the virus is not present in the community. Based on his observations he noted that many persons living in the community are not adhering to the simplest of preventative measures, like wearing a mask and social distancing.
“I am seeing a lot of residents not wearing face masks and they are mixing and mingling at bars or at their homes. So I can safely say that COVID is still present but they are not coming forward to do screening or testing to know their status,” he said.
Henry opined that this may be due to their fear of another possible lockdown of the two communities. He noted that the village council had made it clear that if four or five cases are detected the Regional Task Force will have to be informed, which will result in then more medical personnel sent in to do testing. This, Henry suggested, is another reason why people are avoiding the medical team.
According to Henry, COVID-19 testing is not mandatory so there is nothing leaders can do but advise that persons displaying symptoms get tested.
In addition, he said, some persons are even saying that the virus is not real or in Guyana because of the country’s death rate as compared to first world countries. Nevertheless, he said, the Task Force continues to advise residents to wear masks and following the necessary preventative measures.
Henry also disclosed that to date over 600 persons from the two communities have been tested for the virus with at least 130 persons testing positive. Siparuta has recorded one death. There are just over 1,200 persons living in both communities.
Orealla and Siparuta had its first outbreak last November, resulting in the two communities being placed under lockdown for a number of weeks.
