With multiple COVID-19 cases having been confirmed in Santa Rosa, in Region One, the Village Council has instituted several measures, including extended curfew hours, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Since the detection of new infections, at least one villager, Ruel Phillips, has succumbed. He was transferred to a hospital in Georgetown after falling ill at his home. Sunday Stabroek was told that Phillips travelled to George-town shortly before falling ill upon his return to Santa Rosa.
He died on July 8th.
Toshao of the community, Stavros Stanley, told Sunday Stabroek yesterday that there are currently 23 active COVID-19 cases in the village. He noted that the persons who tested positive for the virus had contact with relatives from Georgetown during the last few days and this might be how the virus has once again made its way into the community.
Stanley added that the Council is expecting the number of cases to rise and so has started preparing buildings to accommodate patients who have to be isolated. He noted that the buildings that were previously used as isolation and quarantine facilities have not been used for a while but will probably have to be given the sudden rise in cases.
In addition, he said, having held an emergency meeting on Friday, the Village Council has instituted a number of measures to help stop the spread of the disease. Among those measures, he said, is a 7pm to 5am curfew, which went into effect yesterday. Travel will not be restricted but boat operators will have to limit the number of passengers in their boats so that a 6-foot physical distance is maintained.
Stanley also said that screening points will be set-up at the waterfront and churches are to enforce the 6-foo\t social distancing measures. No sport activities are allowed.
Stanley said that these measures will remain in place until the situation is under control and advised residents to comply so that they can protect themselves from the virus.
