Guyana has recorded an additional 24 cases of the COVID-19 virus within the last 24 hours, taking active infections in the country to 818, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said today.
Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) continues to lead with 390 cases, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), 189, and Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) with 95.
The Minister reported that 38 patients are hospitalised, with 31 alone housed at the Infectious Disease Hospital, East Coast Demerara. Eleven patients are in that institution’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) receiving specialised treatment. Of the 38 hospitalised persons, 26 require oxygen.
Minister Anthony noted a decrease in testing across the region. This, he said, could give false assurance that there is a decrease in spread. He is urging citizens to get tested and to remain vigilant.
“If there is drop-in testing, then we wouldn’t accurately be able to see what is happening with the pandemic across the country. Those persons, who believe they might be exposed to COVID, we’re asking them to go and get tested. We have testing sites in every region of the country. All of our regional hospitals are equipped to do testing…It’s the responsible thing to do,” he said.
Health officials have so far vaccinated 408,838 persons older than 18 years old with the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This translates to 79.7% of that category. Some 290,688 (56.7%) have received a second dose of a vaccine.
Meanwhile, 30,028 adolescents have taken the first jab, with 21,309 receiving the second. This is equivalent to 41.2% and 29.2% respectively.
