11 more persons recover from COVID-19
The Ministry of Public Health is reporting some good news; eleven more persons have recuperated from COVID-related illnesses. In total Guyana has recorded 176 recoveries to date.
The Ministry has also confirmed that another person has tested positive for the virus taking the total confirmed cases to 351. Deaths remain at 19.
Currently, there are 156 active cases in isolation at various facilities across Guyana; 33 persons in institutional quarantine and two patients housed in the COVID-19 ICU.
As of 23 July, 3,975 persons have been tested for the virus with 3,624 yielding negative results.
Globally, the WHO is reporting that positive cases stand at 15,012,731 with 619,150 deaths. While in the Regions of the Americas, positive cases now stand at 7,948,513 with a total of 317,962 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.
Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation honors essential workers in New York
Sixty essential and frontline female workers were recognized by the Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation, Inc for their outstanding contribution to the community during the COVID -19 pandemic.
The women were honored last week when the foundation hosted “Essentially You” a giveback event to show appreciation for the sacrifice and hard work the women continue to provide in the face of a global pandemic. 
The recipients were selected mostly from the healthcare, emergency, law enforcement, food services, postal, delivery, and transportation industries. Also among this group of honorees were community leaders, business owners, and private citizens who contributed through food drives, and other essential services.
The event was supported by several elected officials who nominated several of their constituents for this recognition and give-back and also issued NYS Senate and City Council citations.
The citations were provided by Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Senator James Sanders, Jr. Councilwoman Adrienne Adams, Councilman I. Daneek Miller, Councilman Eric Ulrich, and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman.
The event took place during two different time slots, at the Majority Family Life Center in St. Albans.
Adhering to social distancing and PPE guidelines, recipients also received GGRF “Sheroes” award certificates, personal care gift bags, grocery hampers, and gift certificates, plus a delicious meal to go.
The event was funded through an “All In Neighborhood Grant” awarded to GGRF by Citizens Committee of NYC. Items for the gift bags, which included bed linens, sleepwear, makeup and other personal care and beauty products were all acquired through the organization’s partnership with Good360, a global leader in product philanthropy and purposeful giving, that partners with socially responsible companies to source highly needed goods and distribute them through their network of diverse nonprofits.
The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) donated 100 tote bags of dry groceries, which were distributed to the honorees and members of the general public.
Several local restaurants and food providers including, father and son Kevin and Tim Tulane, owners of Sumthin Amazin; and a member of the Blaque Resource Network, Our Village Roti Shop, Fazees Delight and The Nest Restaurant and Bar donated pre-packaged meals. “This was not just a GGRF effort,” shared GGRF’s Founder & President, Cloyette Harris-Stoute. “When members of the community heard what we were planning, they eagerly offered to help. A total of 17 hairstylists and makeup artists donated gift certificates. Local photographer, Michael Chu-A-Kong provided his services pro bono and Brooklyn-based DJ Kayla provided the sound-system and soft music. During her welcoming address, Mrs. Harris-Stoute told the story of New York Postal Service mail carrier, Cheyenne Norman, who inspired the idea of “Essentially You.” She spoke of observing Ms. Norman often being the only person out in the streets during the NYC mandated COVID-19 shutdown, as she went from house to house working hard to make sure that everyone still received their mail. “It is very important that we acknowledge the services that essential workers continue to provide on our behalf,” Harris-Stoute said. “GGRF also recognized that those services are extended, not just to the Guyanese community, but to the community at large, and wanted to honor all of their contributions.” A photo collage of all 60 honorees is displayed on the organization’s “Wall of Fame” located at https://guyanesegirlsrock.org/
Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation is an award-winning organization that is dedicated to empowering Guyanese women and girls to create their own paths to success.
Through its programs, GGRF facilitates youth leadership training, life skills workshops, community collaborations, access to scholarships, and awards & recognizes exceptional female role models from the Guyanese community.
The organization is currently 100% volunteer supported, and thanks Events Committee Chair, Annie Mohan, and the following members who contributed to the success of “Essentially You” – Rhonda Binda, Juneanne George, Dr. Kyomi Gregory, Melinda Ramhit, Tracey Khan, Roxanne Bascom, Onica George, Tandy Primo, Arlene Kendall, Nalini Dyal, Sabrina Mohan and Brianna Cole. Natasha Singh and sisters Arissa and Madison Edwards, who are participants.
98 more Guyanese return home
The most recent group of repatriated Guyanese on Wednesday breathed a sigh of relief after they touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Many of them have been separated from their loved ones due to the coronavirus pandemic and are now happy to be back home.
Wednesday’s Caribbean Airlines repatriation flight from Trinidad saw the return of 98 Guyanese after approval was granted by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF).
A visibly happy Penny-Ann John told the Department of Public Information, “it feels great to be back” after being stranded in Trinidad since March. Johnson disclosed that she was scheduled to return home the day after the National COVID-19 Task Force announced the closure of Guyana’s borders.
Meanwhile, Dr. William Wilson, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies’ Trinidad campus stated while the twin island’s COVID-19 curve has flattened, it was frustrating to be away from his family in Guyana.
“I almost missed this flight. I wanted to be home badly because I wanted to be with my family during this pandemic so I’m happy to be back.”
Cradling her baby, Sherise Dowding told DPI she was happy to be back home as she was scheduled to return to work since June.
Yvonne Cesar expressed her happiness to be back home after being stuck in Trinidad since March. She said it was stressful being away from her family for so long. “When the plane touched down, I felt like I was in heaven because I am back home and can be with my family again.”
Over the past few weeks, the NCTF has approved several international and regional flights which saw hundreds of Guyanese stranded in North America and the Caribbean returning home.
Marijuana found in door panel at Ituni
Close to 20 pounds of suspected cannabis was found in a motor car intercepted by the police at 31 miles, Ituni. The drug bust took place on Wednesday and 61 parcels totaling 9,071kg of cannabis was found in the panels of the doors and also in a spare wheel.
According to a police report, the police acting on information received, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at about 14:00h intercepted a motor car at 31 miles, Ituni Road. The police say two males are in custody assisting with the investigations.
Two new COVID-19 cases recorded – total now 339
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus now stands at 339. This comes as the Ministry of Public Health has reported 71 tests were conducted within the last 24hours with two persons testing positive.
To date, Guyana has recorded 19 deaths and 163 recoveries.
There are 157 active cases in isolation at various facilities across Guyana; 19 persons in institutional quarantine and two patients currently housed in the COVID-19 ICU.
As of 21 July, 3,769 persons have been tested for the virus with 3,498 yielding negative results.
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.
The WHO is reporting that as of July 19, globally positive cases stand at 14,562,550 with 607,781 deaths. While in the Regions of the Americas, positive cases now stand at 7,702,075 with a total of 311,569 deaths.