Marijuana busted in tennis rolls at New Amsterdam Prison.

A woman is now in custody after she was caught attempting to smuggle marijuana concealed in Tennis Rolls into the New Amsterdam Prison.

According to a release from the Guyana Prison Service, the incident occurred around 12:00 noon today.

The prison’s release added that the police have since been called in to probe the matter. The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Hemwattie Charandeo, also known as “Heerawattie Seepersaud” of Dispensary Dam, Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice.

According to the release at the time the suspect was caught, she had brought self-support items for her relative, Bilall McLeanon, who is currently on remand at the New Amsterdam Prison for murder. During a search of the items at the self-support office, Principal Prison Officer II, N. Haynes unearthed from a number of tennis rolls, some small transparent plastic bags which contained the prohibited items. The plastic bags with the prohibited items were removed and weighed. The items amounted to 11 grams. The suspect is in police custody.

7 COVID-19 cases recorded – total now 396

The Ministry of Health has reported that the number of CVID-19 cases has increased by seven to 396.

In the daily update the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud disclosed that the seven of the persons testing positive for the virus came from Arau in Region 7 and the other from Georgetown in region 4.

Dr. Persaud reminded that “Regions 7 and 9 remain high-risk areas. With most of the cases reported today coming from Region 7 and all new cases reported yesterday from Region 9. As you are aware, Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo, Region 9 shares a wide expanse of the border with Brazil where COVID-19 is rampant.”

The CMO stressed that no cross-border movement should be allowed and any migrants entering the community must be immediately reported to the authorities

To date, 181 persons have recovered from COVID-related illnesses while 20 have succumbed to the virus.

Currently, there are 195 active cases in institutional isolation at various facilities across Guyana; 34 persons in institutional quarantine and four patients housed in the COVID-19 ICU.

As of 28 July, 4,478 persons have been tested for the virus with 4,082 yielding negative results.

Globally, the WHO is reporting that positive cases stand at 16,341,920 with 650,805 deaths. While in the Regions of the Americas, positive cases now stand at 8,728,962 with a total of 339,651 deaths.

Citizens are reminded to continue practising social distancing in the workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. They are also reminded to practise frequent hand washing/sanitising and always wear a face mask if they must go out.

Fire leaves six persons homeless

A Fire of unknown origin gutted an Eccles East Bank Demerara two storied house earlier this morning, leaving six persons homeless.

According to reports, the fire started at the bottom flat of the house and quickly engulfed the entire building.

When the alarm was raised neighbors came to their rescue but they were unable to save anything.

Kevin Allen one of the occupants of the building said the house was recently renovated and he estimates his losses to be in the millions. An investigation is currently ongoing by the Guyana Fire Service to ascertain the origin of the fire.

One dead, one injured in Mandela Avenue accident

The accident occurred just after 6:30pm on Sunday July 26th in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium and involved a CBR motorcycle and pedestrian.

The dead man was identified as Leon George Wilkins. He died on the spot after he sustained head injuries.

 

The motorcycle skidded several feet away before coming to a stop. The pedestrian is in a stable condition and was picked up by an ambulance and checked by paramedics before he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The injured man was identified as 31yr. old Sean Cooke.

Police investigators are on the story.

Another COVID- related death recorded- total now 20

The Ministry of Public Health has reported that the number of COIVD-19 deaths has reached 20, as another person has succumbed to COVID-related illnesses.

The Ministry has also confirmed that another person has tested positive for the virus taking the total confirmed cases to 352.

Meanwhile, two more persons have recuperated from the virus taking recoveries to 178.

Currently, there are 154 active cases in isolation at various facilities across Guyana; 33 persons in institutional quarantine and four patients housed in the COVID-19 ICU.

As of 24 July, 4,057 persons have been tested for the virus with 3,705 yielding negative results.

Globally, the WHO is reporting that positive cases stand at 15,296,926 with 628,903 deaths. While in the Regions of the Americas, positive cases now stand at 8,121,700 with a total of 325,625 deaths.

Citizens are reminded to continue practising social distancing in the workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. They are also reminded to practise frequent hand washing/sanitising and always wear a face mask if they have to go out.