Royston Drakes Production

The number of persons who have been medically cleared and have since recovered from the novel coronavirus has increased to eighteen.

This was disclosed by the Ministry of Public Health in its daily update to the nation.

As of April 29, 2020, three new cases have been registered taking the total number of confirmed cases to 78. This is inclusive of eight deaths.

A total of 519 persons have been tested with 441 of those tested returning negative.

In institutional quarantine, there are 18 persons while 52 others are housed in institutional isolation.

Three patients are currently in the COVID-19 ICU at the GPHC.

The Public Health Minister Hon Volda Lawrence noted that central Georgetown remains the epicentre of the virus in several of the densely populated areas in the city.

Globally the WHO had reported 2, 954,222 confirmed cases with 202, 597 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed cases is 1,179, 607 with 60, 211 deaths.

The Ministry of Public Health is again calling on all citizens to heed the health advisories and observe the correct hygiene measures and precautions. Citizens are also asked to always   practice social   distancing in   the   workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation so as reduce the spread of the coronavirus diseases.

The Ministry of Public Health today launched a mobile unit and two community COVID-19 facilities.

The mobile unit will be stationed at the at the East La Penitence Health Centre and the COVID-19 facilities will be located at Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara  and Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara.

These facilities have been established because Georgetown has been deemed the epicentre of the Coronavirus Disease with 55 percent of all confirmed cases residing in Central Georgetown.  Region Four accounts for more than 80 percent of the cases.

Speaking at the opening of the East La Penitence Health mobile unit, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Boyle explained that it will be traversing several areas throughout Region four for an indefinite period.

“We have plans for the unit to go into other areas which we consider hotspots. We are also thinking of places like the markets since we have recognised from our epi-data that many of the contacts of our [confirmed] cases would have traversed certain market places.”

Dr Boyle assured regular clinic patients they can keep their appointments at the East La Penitence Health Centre.

“The staff who work in the clinic will not be a part of this. There is a special team of persons who have been trained to do this, they have the equipment and the PPEs. This will pose no risk to the staff inside nor to the patients who are going to their regular clinics.”

The DCMO pointed out that the mobile unit will assist in reducing the number of persons seeking screening and testing at the Guyana Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Health Officer, Region Four Dr Christopher Seetram described the process to be undertaken at the two community COVID-19 facilities.

“You will be expected to wash your hands as soon as you enter the premises Then you will be met by trained personnel who will conduct what we call triage one and initial screening where your signs and symptoms are noted.”

Dr Seetram noted that in the event the person meets the criteria to be tested, “then they will move to an enclosed booth where trained personnel will do swabbing and these samples will be sent for analysis in Georgetown.”

Persons are also being asked to be more forthcoming with information such as addresses and contact information which will assist the Ministry in contact tracing.

The mobile unit and the two COVID-19 facilities will be operational from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Fridays. However, based on the demand these hours may be extended.

The Ministry of Public Health today reported that the country has recorded another death related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) taking the total to eight.

As of April 25, 2020, there are 74 confirmed cases.

Twelve persons have been medically cleared and have since recovered from the virus.

A total of 442 persons have been tested with 368 of those tested returning negative.

In institutional quarantine, there are 23 persons while 54 others are housed in institutional isolation.

Five patients are currently in the COVID-19 ICU at the GPHC.

The Public Health Ministry continues to offer psychosocial support for those in need of these services.

Globally the WHO had reported 2,626,321 confirmed cases with 181,938 deaths. In the Region of the Americas the number of confirmed cases is 995,510 with 50,583 deaths.

The Ministry of Public Health is again calling on all citizens to heed the health advisories and observe the correct hygiene measures and precautions. Citizens are also asked to always   practice social   distancing in   the   workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation so as reduce the spread of the coronavirus diseases.

Region Ten has recorded its third case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Pansy Armstrong disclosed that since the first two cases were confirmed in the Upper Demerara-Berbice area the Regional Health Emergency Committee has worked to ensure all persons who were in contact with these two cases have been tested.

She revealed that a total of 10 persons have been tested and one of those returned positive results.  It was discovered that the third individual was in close contact with the first COVID-19 patient, who later succumbed.

The 40-year-old resident of Wismar Housing Scheme was transferred to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre treatment facility on Thursday evening.

Residents of region 10 who would have interacted with the first two COVID-19 cases are being asked to present themselves for testing.

Dr. Armstrong explained that contact tracing in Region 10, has found that the infection thus far is a cluster, not a community spread.

At the regional level, the RHEC continues to take on an aggressive approach in keeping imported cases very low. Screening is ongoing at the Amelia’s Ward and 58 Mile Police Outposts as well as at the Kwakwani Water Front.

The Upper Demerara Hospital has been identified as an isolation facility and strides were made in equipping the medical institution with the necessary supplies and protective gear to tackle COVID-19.

Persons entering Region Six, East Berbice Corentyne will now be screened.

Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen announced that the process officially began on Friday morning and by 12 noon, 150 persons had been tested.

Stephen said a screening site has been established on the western side of the Berbice River Bridge. Doctors and nurses will check temperatures and, in some cases, for high blood pressure.

Persons leaving Region Six to enter Region 5 and onwards will be allowed to pass, however, those entering will be screened. Once tested, they will be given a band, and if necessary, sent to the hospital for further evaluation.

“If a person is flagged with a high temperature or a spike in BP, then that person will be given a band and sent to the hospital for treatment or further screening.”

Stephen explained that the giving wrist bands to those persons who have been screened will also ensure the healthcare officials do not repeat the process for those individuals traversing the route often within the day – such as mini bus operators and taxi drivers.

It was highlighted that the Regional Health Services will continue the initiative for as long as is necessary. Screenings are also being conducted at New Amsterdam Hospital and the Mibicuri District Hospital.

Noting the rise in confirmed cases in the country, Stephen appealed to residents to stay at home and practice the guidelines outlined by the Public Health Ministry and the WHO.

Following the announcement, several Berbicians took to social media to express satisfaction with the decision taken by the regional health authorities.