Guyana is set to receive some 65,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests in the coming weeks.
According to President Irfaan Ali, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, is sending 15,000 PCR tests to Guyana, and by next week, another 10,000 will come from the Pan-American Health Organisation ( PAHO), with a commitment to supply an additional 40,000 PCR kits.
Guyana has already accessed three PCR testing machines with two more being sourced, and plans are in motion to train persons, including from the hinterland areas in the use of the PCR machines and rapid test kits.
Since taking office in just one week, the government would have mobilized and received 46,000 rapid antibody-test kits, Personal Protection Equipment, approximately 240,000 surgical masks, and face shields, gowns and other urgently needed supplies.
It has also commenced work on securing immediately an initial sum of $4.5 billion as emergency response to help at the household level.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed too many lives. Everything possible must be done to protect our people from this dreaded and dreadful disease. That is why, as President, I will personally and urgently participate in my Government’s programme to stop infection by the coronavirus, curb its spread, and safeguard the health of our nation,” Ali said.
