Vice-Chairman of Region 10, Douglas Gittens yesterday succumbed after being hospitalized for three days with COVID-19.
Gittens of Mackenzie, Linden was a teacher by profession and taught at the Mackenzie High School. He had received a first shot of a COVID vaccine on May 27th.
As news of his death circulated, tributes and testimonials poured into the social media platform Facebook as many remembered him as a jovial, fun, well-loved and caring individual.
Gittens’ sudden passing has renewed calls by officials on social media for persons to get vaccinated.
Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon in expressing condolences on behalf of APNU+AFC renewed calls for citizens to get vaccinated against the virus.
“I take this opportunity to implore all Guyanese to not become complacent and to intensify their efforts in observing all COVID-19 measures and make your best efforts to get vaccinated if you have not yet gotten the vaccine,” Harmon yesterday afternoon said.
According to Harmon, Gittens was a tireless worker and fastidious Vice Chairman who dutifully served the people of Region 10 to his last day. His positive personality and contribution to the advancement of Region 10 will be sorely missed and the void he leaves will be a challenge to fill and they will be seeking ways in which his legacy will be honoured, Harmon said.
Regional Chairman Deron Adams yesterday told Stabroek News that Gittens was passionate about his work at the council. He noted that days before his isolation at the region’s medical facility, Gittens was out in Kwakwani distributing aid to families affected by the flooding.
He explained that after the trip to Kwakwani, Gittens called and informed him that he was unable to make it to work as he was feeling unwell.
Adams, who is fully vaccinated, also sounded the call to his fellow citizens to take the opportunity and get their jabs to not only protect themselves but family members.
He said that the regional body will now have to consider means and ways to encourage persons to get their jabs as there is still great hesitancy among citizens. Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) has the lowest uptake of the COVID vaccine in the entire country.
A statement on June 11 from the Region 10 council explained that Gittens had tested positive for COVID-19 on that date, days after he had had his first dose of a COVID vaccine.
“As a reminder, health officials have stated clearly that the first dose of the vaccine does not protect you against contracting the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and ‘full protection’ against the disease is expected 14 days after a person would have taken their second dose for the two-dose vaccines available,” the council said in their post.
“However, with the advent of the floods, the Vice Chairman had traveled to various areas in sub-region 2 including Kwakwani for which he holds direct responsibility, to assist in relief efforts and subsequently reported feeling unwell. Today, after suffering symptoms including loss of taste, he presented himself for a COVID-19 test to be done, which proved positive, and was admitted to the Upper Demerara Hospital.”
Commenting on his death yesterday, the Region 10 RDC said, “Vice Chairman Gittens is remembered as a very friendly and approachable person who shared his affable character in interactions with persons from all walks of life and in communities across Region 10…”
“The Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 will certainly miss the dedication and commitment to public service that Vice Chairman Douglas eschewed, and again extends sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends,” the statement added.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill was also among those who expressed condolences to Gittens’ family, political colleagues and the wider community.
“Today, as a family, we are once again hurting and full of grief. We have lost our brother, friend and colleague in the person of Regional Vice-Chairman Mr. Douglas Gittens. We express condolence to his mom, relatives and other loved ones. May his soul Rest in Peace,” the Mackenzie High School administration said.
