With the growing number of COVID-19 infections and deaths resulting in the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC) this week warning against travel to Guyana, the PNCR yesterday called on the government to “take politics out of health” and have an inclusive approach to addressing the pandemic.
The party also urged that Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony be let go if he is found wanting in his management of the country’s response to the virus
Party executive member Dr. Karen Cummings, reading from a statement yesterday during a virtual press conference, said that the PNCR, which is the major constituent of the main opposition APNU+AFC, is gravely concerned that the pandemic “is being totally mishandled by the government.”
“The actions of the government are causing more deaths, more infections, and more hospitalizations of our citizens. This is due primarily to its abandonment of the Coalition’s effective COVID-19 plan that it inherited, and its determination not to have any bi-partisan approach to managing this pandemic,” she said.
September has proven to be the deadliest month in Guyana since the virus appeared here with over 100 deaths and on Wednesday there were some 362 news cases in one day.
On Monday, the US CDC listed Guyana as a “Level 4: Covid-19 Very High” country and recommended that persons avoid travelling to it.
Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, another party executive, told the news conference that it is important to know what variants of the virus are in Guyana, while noting that it is an issue that is not being addressed by Anthony and his team.
On Tuesday, Anthony said the issue of testing for variants is a “moot point” as from all clinical presentations authorities here are positive that the Delta variant is being transmitted locally.
The PNCR said it wants to know about the number of PCR testing sites and their locations, the variants of the virus in Guyana, the infection rate among citizens, how many vaccinated persons have died from the virus and the number of children who are infected and died from COVID-19. It also wants to know how many AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Sputnik V vaccines have been received to date and how many persons received 1st and 2nd doses, whether there is a national register for collection of data on adverse effects from the vaccines, where persons with underlying conditions receive an exemption certificate from being vaccinated and how many ICU beds are there, and how many trained ICU nurses are employed. It said if Anthony is unable to answer these questions, then he should “step aside”.
Asked with the growing numbers of cases whether a lockdown is necessary in Guyana, Dr. Van West-Charles said in his opinion it is not necessary if the COVID-19 programme is managed properly and there is adherence to the public health guidelines. He said there should also be a system of monitoring the guidelines coupled with robust vaccination. However, if these are not adhered to and implemented then there will have to be lockdown with serious curfew arrangements being put in place. He did point out, however, that a lockdown would have an economic impact on businesses and as such the approach to the pandemic requires a different and inclusive approach and the government should not resist this.
He called on the government to work on reducing vaccine hesitancy and to increase vaccinations. He added that if there is an assumption that the Delta variant is here, then the government’s approach must also include ensuring adherence to public guidelines, and it must revisit the reopening of schools, among other things. If there is overcrowding at the Liliendaal COVID-19 hospital, he added, then the government needs to look for more facilities to accommodate patients.
Anthony earlier this week said if the need arises, field hospitals would be set up to accommodate COVID patients.
Van West-Charles stressed that Anthony needs to take a more serious approach, which is inclusive. “They need to relax and include people who can work with them and make this thing come under control,” he added.
