One more COVID-19 recovery recorded

One more COVID-19 patient has recovered, adding to the other 46 recoveries from the virus.

This was disclosed by Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services in the daily COVID-19 Update.

While 26 tests were conducted within the last 24 hours, the total number of positive cases remains at 125 as no new cases were reported.

As of May 20, 2020, 1,295 tests have now been conducted with 1170 negative results.

Of the 125 cases, only 68 are active cases with Guyana having recorded 10 deaths.

The 68 active cases remain in isolation at various facilities across Guyana while 6 others are in quarantine and 3 critical patients are in the COVID-19 ICU at the GPHC.

The virus has continued to spread to several communities along the coast and more recently, the Hinterland. Seven of the Ten Administrative Regions now have positive cases of the virus.

Dr. Hamilton warned that Brazil has now become the country with the 3rd highest COVID-19 infections in the world, so residents living along the Guyana-Brazil border should exercise increased caution.

Globally, there are 4,801,202 confirmed cases with 318,935 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed cases stands at 2,105,670 with deaths increasing by 1,176 to stand at 125,843.

8 presidential guards test positive for COVID 19

The Guyana police force has confirmed that 8 ranks attached to the presidential guard unit have contracted the deadly virus.
According to the police public relations department, as a result of the presence of COVID-19 in Guyana the presidential guard unit in conformity with the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health conducted random testing on the ranks within the department.
The police report added that they are currently convalescing in quarantine.
The police report says that the ranks ARE NOT from the VIP close protection section to the president but are all part of the Special Protective Service (SPS).

Pedal cyclist killed in Corentyne accident

The accident occurred around 11:30 this morning May 20, 2020, at Princetown Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, and has left a pedal cyclist dead.
The victim was identified as Marsha Adiana, 57, of Skeldon Riverside, Corentyne, Berbice.
According to a police report their enquiries revealed that the car HC 8511 was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway reportedly at a fast rate of speed and the pedal cyclist was proceeding north along the western side of the road when the driver allegedly swerved west and collided with the cyclist.
The Police report added, as a result of the impact, the cyclist fell onto the road surface where she received injuries to her body.
The victim was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The 25-year-old driver from Crabwood Creek Corentyne was found below the prescribed alcohol limit and is in custody assisting with the investigation.

76 more ballot boxes recounted; recount of Region Seven commences

Seventy-six more ballot boxes were completed  today in the ongoing national recount of all ballots cast in the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

With Regions One and Two completed, 18 boxes were today completed for Region Three, while 14 were completed for Region Four. Region Five saw the completion of 18 boxes, while Regions Six and Seven saw the completion of 18 and 8 boxes respectively.

This brings the total number of ballot boxes completed so far to 718, with a remaining 1,621 boxes.

With two additional  workstations in place, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was able to commence the recount of the Region Seven votes with one of those workstations. The other will accommodate the recount of ballots from Region Six. Region Seven has another 78 ballots boxes to be completed.

Outstanding ballots for other regions include 157 for Region Three, 700 for Region Four, 80 for Region Five, 357 for Region Six, 55 for Region Eight, 73 for Region Nine and 125 for Region Ten.

One new recovery, one new case- total stands at 125

Fifty-one persons were tested for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours with one test returning positive. This brings the total confirmed cases to 125.

This was disclosed by Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services in the daily COVID-19 Update.

Of these 125 cases, Guyana has recorded 10 deaths and 46 recoveries.

Since March a total of 1,269 persons have been tested with 1144 testing negative.

Sixty-nine active cases remain in isolation at various facilities across Guyana while six others are in quarantine and three critical patients are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at the GPHC.

The virus has continued to spread to several communities along the coast and more recently, the Hinterland. Seven of the Ten Administrative Regions now have positive cases of the virus.

Central Georgetown continues to be the epicentre of the virus.

As of May 19, 2020, The WHO has reported that globally, there are 4,735,622 confirmed cases with 316,289 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed cases stands at 2,082,945 with 124,668 deaths.

The Public Health Ministry is reminding that there are necessary steps that must be adhered to by everyone. These include staying at home and only going out for essential services; maintaining physical distancing in public spaces; washing/sanitising hands before eating, touching your face and before engaging in activities with others and reaching out for medical attention when unwell or coming into contact with a positive case

NCTF grants approval for trade unionist Komal Chand’s body to return home

The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Monday evening disclosed that approval has been granted for the body of the late trade unionist Komal Chand to return to Guyana from Cuba.

Chand and his wife travelled to Cuba earlier this year to seek medical attention. However, Chand, 75, died on April 8, while receiving medical treatment there.

Following the closure of the two main airports after the implementation of the emergency measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chand’s body could not be immediately returned to Guyana’s shore

Following its virtual statutory meeting, the NCTF stated that Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings met with the son of the deceased and spoke to Mrs. Chand via telephone, to convey the government’s decision.

Dr. Cummings also extended sympathies on behalf of the government.

Chand joined the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) in 1975 as the union’s organising secretary and later served as President up to his demise.

Described as an individual who was committed to his work, he dedicated his career to fighting for the protection and rights of workers in the sugar, rice and numerous other industries in Guyana.

Meanwhile, today’s NCTF statutory meeting also considered several applications of various groups of Guyanese overseas who are desirous of returning home

These approvals are subject to the satisfaction of all requirements of the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant ministries, the NCTF stated.

Caribbean Union of Teachers not in support of CXC exams set for July; says the lives of teachers and students at risk

The Caribbean Union of Teachers said it is not in support of the July timeline set by the Caribbean Examination Council for the holding of the Regional Examination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CXC recently announced that the regional examinations: The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination will all be written in July. In countries where the infrastructure is in place, students will sit an e-paper, while in countries without the infrastructure  students will write the examination in classrooms while maintaining social distancing to protect students.

The Regional Union in a press release said the unfortunate decision places the lives of thousands of students and teachers at risk.

The body which advocates for teachers’ rights in the region, said a letter was sent to the Registrar of CXC in which it conveyed its membership’s stance against the sitting of Regional Examinations any time before September 2020.

Among the concerns underscored were: Health and Safety issues; the need for greater engagement on the format of the examination; The validity issues associated with the proposed format of the examination; The technological capacity and infrastructural limitations of many of the Educational Institutions throughout the region; The time that is required to provide psychological support; and the uncertainty as it relates to the COVID 19 in the region.

The Union said it was not confident that the governments in the region have demonstrated the level of preparedness for the planned reopening of schools in order to create a safe environment for students and teachers to effectively operate.

 

The Union said scheduling the examinations in September will give Ministries of Education in the Region time to put protocols in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the measures it hopes to see adopted are the:  Establishing of infrastructure that will allow for new normal operations in all education communities namely; enhanced hygiene and cleaning practices and equipment in addition to enabling access to Personal Protective Equipment. c) Formalize appropriate support structures through social and political dialogue, for vulnerable and affected members of educational communities to include counselling and funding. d) Engage teachers and their unions in designing instructions, digital tools and platforms that can be used to continue education during the temporary school closures and Use the expertise and professionalism of educators and their unions to determine and assess the impact of school closures and teaching, learning and student well-being and develop a framework for transitioning back to on-site teaching and learning and Provide government secured Information communication technology and digital technologies that will maintain students’ engagement in times of crisis as well as requisite training for teachers in the new normal modalities.

 

Guyanese abroad assured of prioritised arrival once airports reopen

Guyanese abroad who have contacted Guyana’s embassies and consulates signalling intentions to return home have been assured of prioritised arrival once local airports reopen.

This was assurance was given by the Minister of Public Infrastructure Hon. David Patterson whilst speaking to DPI over the weekend.

The Minister stated that currently, Guyana cannot handle an influx of persons as it grapples with limited quarantine facilities.

He empathised with citizens abroad, particularly those serving aboard ships who want to return. The Minister said the Government, has no objection to the return of citizens, but it is not feasible.

“They want to get home. That is their right, but can we afford to bring back 200 persons at the moment? Health [Ministry] has said no, they cannot. It is too much for us because every person that you come into contact with, exponentially increases the risk of the virus,” he explained.

It was further noted while the Ministry of Public Health advised there be no more than 30 passengers per plane en route to Guyana, commercial airlines find it difficult to compensate for the accrued financial losses.

Nevertheless, Minister Patterson said the Government will prioritise the arrival of its citizens who have contacted the Guyana embassies and consulates once clearance has been given for international travel to resume.

Under the COVID-19 emergency measures, the country’s two main airports have been closed to international travel until June 3. Multiple airlines have stated their readiness to resume services at the resumption of international travel.

Since the initial closure of Guyana’s airports to international travel at midnight on March 18, Government has facilitated the return of citizens on a March 18 chartered flight.

7 new coronavirus cases

Seven more COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Guyana, taking the total confirmed infections up to 124.

Of these 124 cases, Guyana has recorded 10 deaths and 45 recoveries.

This was disclosed by Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services in the daily COVID-19 Update.

Fifty-four (54) tests were conducted within the last 24 hours, taking the total to 1,218 tests since March 11.  Of those 1,094 persons tested negative.

The 69 active cases remain in isolation at various facilities across Guyana while 6 others are in quarantine and 3 critical patients are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at the GPHC.

The virus has continued to spread to several communities along the coast and more recently, the Hinterland. Seven of the Ten Administrative Regions now have postitive cases of the virus.

Central Georgetown continues to be the epicentre of the virus.

As of May 18, 2020, globally, there are 4,628,903 confirmed cases with more than 312,009 deaths. In the Region of the Americas the number of confirmed cases stands at 2,017 811 with 121,609 deaths.

The Public Health Ministry is reminding that there are necessary steps that must be adhered to by everyone. These include staying at home and only going out for essential services; maintaining physical distancing in public spaces; washing/sanitising hands before eating, touching your face and before engaging in activities with others and reaching out for medical attention when unwell or coming into contact with a positive case.