The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has taken a decision to halt all in-person activities with its cricket academy after a local cricketer reportedly tested positive for COVID19.
This is according to a source within the organization who confirmed to Stabroek Sport that players and coaches will now be in the confines of their homes and will conduct training via Zoom conference.
The source added that the academy was set to be shifted to the National Stadium, Providence, with the necessary clearance already received but that plan had to be aborted due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 related cases locally.
Stabroek Sport understands that a player within the academy has recently tested positive for the coronavirus and though asymptomatic, is currently on self-isolation.
The relevant authorities have also been informed, the source related.
Recently, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) announced that cricket in the county will be suspended until further notice owning to the spike in coronavirus cases.
In January, Guyana and West Indies all rounder, Romario Shepherd, was ruled out of the West Indies’ tour to Bangladesh while Trevon `Bugsy’ Griffith was ruled out of the Guyana Jaguars’ Super50 campaign after both players tested positive for the coronavirus. A similar decision to halt in-person training was taken when those players tested positive.
Regionally, the Hope brothers, Kyle and Shai, were also ruled out of the Barbados Pride’s Super50 squad after testing positive.
Guyana has recorded 246 deaths with 10,606 persons returning positive test results and a seven-day average of 61 cases per day.
Globally, over 130 million persons have contracted the coronavirus with more than 2.8 million deaths.
The Ministry of Health has recently issued a warning to citizens to guard themselves against the current surge in new COVID-19 cases by following the national guidelines and avoiding large gatherings.
The month of March saw the highest number of new infections being recorded since the pandemic was first confirmed in Guyana a year ago with over 1600 cases.
“Make no mistake, COVID-19 transmission is very active in Guyana right now. Every time one leaves home, you are at risk. Like in other countries, COVID-19 is also showing, during this new surge, that it spreads faster and it has become deadlier. Most worrisome, COVID-19 is now affecting younger people, and causing severe illnesses in persons, not only younger, but with no comorbidities. COVID-19 is more dangerous now than at any time before”, the Ministry stated in a release.
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES (NO.16), which are in effect until April 30, 2021. This order emphasises:
• The need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home;
• The importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others;
• The need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 IMMEDIATELY or visit http://www.health.gov.gy.
