GECOM aiming for 25-day national recount

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) aims to conclude the national recount of ballots from the March 2, 2020 ballots in 25 days.

Commissioner Vincent Alexander said, however, that proposal is subject to review, as the commission will be using the first week of the exercise to observe the pace of the work.

The commission met again today, to finalise both the operational plan and Order for the national recount. Part of the plan suggested the 25-day proposal.

Other aspects of the plan include the participants in the process, location, the number of stations, as well as the arrangement which will see Region Four votes being tabulated alongside other regions.

Alexander said the issue of a live stream again surfaced; however, the consensus was that such action is unlawful. He cited Section 90 of the Representation of the People’s Act (RPA) which prohibits such.

However, he noted, that intermittent broadcasts reporting the progress of the work will be done throughout the process.

While the Order has also been completed, the commencement date for the recount is still to be added. Alexander said GECOM continues its communication with the CARICOM to determine its readiness.

He spoke to the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the CARICOM team which focuses on it scrutinizing the process and submitting a report after. In like manner, observers participating in the process will also “observe” after which their reports will also be submitt

Ex- cops charged with possession of weed

Ex cops, Khushyal Grant and his wife Rokeisha Collins were on Thursday charged with the possession of 9 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking when they appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court. 

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges and were placed on $150,000 bail each, however they  will return to court on May 12 for report. 

Last week the couple and their 2 children were heading to the city when they were intercepted by ranks at the Berbice Bridge Checkpoint and their vehicle was searched. 

Upon doing so, the ranks noticed several parcels of suspected cannabis in the car and whilst being cautioned by officers for the trafficking offence, Khushyal’s wife drove away with the car and her two children inside. 

Later that day the vehicle was found parked infront of the suspects yard in Canje where Collins was subsequently arrested and taken into custody. 

3 new coronavirus cases recorded

The Ministry of Public Health today reported that three more persons have tested potive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This now takes the total to 73.

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

The number of coronavirus deaths locally remains at 7.

As of April 24, 2020, a total of 410 persons have been tested with 337 of those tested returning negative.

In institutional quarantine, there are 17 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.

Since March 16, 793 persons have been on formal Home Quarantine. The Public Health Ministry is reporting that, to date, 596 of those persons have completed their 14 days quarantine and were cleared by the Health Emergency Operations Centre while 197 persons continue to be monitored.

Globally the WHO had reported 2, 544,792 confirmed cases with 175,694 deaths. In the Region of the Americas the number of confirmed cases is 957,402 with 47,812 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.

Early Pension Payment to commence April 29

The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has announced that the payment of Old Age Pensions will commence on April 29, 2020, at 07:00 hours at all post offices countrywide.

In a press release issued on April 21, the GPOC disclosed that it has implemented a new alphabetised process which will be used only during the first five payment days of the month in Regions 2,3,4,5,6, and 10.

It noted that seniors will be paid according to the following system:

“Surnames beginning with the letters A to E will be paid on made on Thursday, April 29, Surnames F to J will be made on Friday, April 30, Surnames K to O is set for Monday, May 4, P to T will be paid on Wednesday, May 6, and finally U to Z will be on May 7, 2020.”

It was highlighted that seniors can cash their coupon any day after the fifth payment date,

GPOC said the new measure effectively safeguards and ensures elderly persons can collect their pensions payments during COVID-19 pandemic.

More than a week ago, the Guyana Post Office Corporation collaborated with the Ministries of Social Protection and Public Health, community leaders and several NGO’s to develop an appropriate and safe payment procedure for seniors.

US pumps GUY $100 million into Guyana’s fight against COVID-19

The United States of America has committed some $100 million towards the fight against the novel Coronavirus in Guyana.

The United States Embassy in Guyana today informed via its website that the country, through the  Regional Caribbean Office of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ), is releasing $100 million (US $475,000) to help address Guyana’s priority areas of laboratory diagnostics and systems strengthening and supplies, surveillance, infection prevention & control, and emergency operation centres.

“Through the generosity of the American people and the leadership of the U.S. government, the United States continues to lead the public health and humanitarian assistance to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release stated.

The money, it said is part of that country’s ongoing commitment to Guyana through the U.S. Caribbean Resiliency Partnership.

The fund is also part of a regional funding package of US$3,000,000 provided to support the current COVID-19 Response.

The embassy said the CDC will coordinate with the Ministry of Public Health here and its regional partners to disburse the funds “rapidly and implement the activities.”

Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had stated last week that Guyana had made several requests to international agencies to aid the country’s fight against the pandemic. Those requests, he noted, were pending.

He related that Finance Minister Winston Jordan had approached a number of institutions, some of which are in the process of “dealing with the request for assistance.”

The Prime Minister also stated that Guyana is pursuing assistance from India through the Indian Grant to Caribbean Countries. The approaches are being made to utilise Guyana’s allocation for supplies relevant to the COVID-19 fight in Guyana,

An approach was also made to the People’s Republic of China, and that assistance is forthcoming as an estimated 30,000 masks and a number of ventilators and other essential medical equipment are on their way to Guyana.

12 patients recovered from COVID-19

Twelve persons have now recovered from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana.

The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 70, as of April 23, 2020.  This was disclosed by Public Health Ministry in the update to the nation today.

The number of coronavirus deaths remains at 7.

To date a total of 375 persons have been tested with 305 of those tested returning negative.

In institutional quarantine, there are 17 persons while 51 others are in 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.

The Global statistics stand at 2,471,136 confirmed cases with 169,006 deaths while in the Region of the Americas, the total number of confirmed cases is 925,291 cases with 44,775 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.

CDC donates 5,000 face masks to Post Office for seniors

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) today donated 5,000 face masks to the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), which will be distributed to seniors who will be uplifting their old-age pensions.

Director-General of CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, related that the donated masks are locally produced by individual and small business owners.

He encouraged other Guyanese to join the battle against COVID-19 by showcasing their talent and support by sending in samples of their hand-made face masks

GPOC’s Deputy Post Master General, Anastasia Jessemy-Lynch, explained that each of the 64 post office locations countrywide will benefit from CDC’s donation to assurance protection amid this pandemic

She advised that while face masks will be provided for pensioners who do not have, those seniors who possess the necessary safety equipment should wear them when visiting the post offices.

Jessemy-Lynch thanked the CDC and other parties for their donation to protect the country’s senior citizens

“We all have to work together to make this possible for our senior citizens who have built the foundations for us. We want to ensure they are safe at this time. The Guyana Post Office Corporation is appreciative to see everyone coming together to play their roles for the survival and development of Guyana.”

The GPOC’s new alphabetised system for the upliftment of old-age pension is scheduled to commence on April 29 at 07:00 hours.

 The implementation of this new measure aims to guarantee the safety of the nation’s senior citizens and contain the spread of COVID-19.

 

Confirmed COVID-19 cases remain at 67; 1 critical patient in ICU

The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guyana remain at 67 as of April 22, 2020.

Of these 67 cases there have been seven deaths and ten recoveries

To date, a total of 348 persons have been tested with 281 of those testing negative.

Seventeen persons remain in institutional quarantine while 5o others are in isolation.  Three persons are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at GPHC, one of whom is critical

Globally, WHO has recorded 2, 397,217 confirmed cases with 162,956 deaths. While in the Region of the Americas there are 893,119 confirmed cases with 42,686 deaths.

Citizens are asked to always wear a facemask when leaving their homes and to practice social distancing in the workplace, public spaces, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus diseases.

 

Inmate killed during fight in Lusignan Prison Holding Bay

The dead man was identified as 30 year old Jason Dundas of Ann’s Grove East Coast Demerara.
According to a Police report, their initial  enquiries disclosed that there was a scuffle between inmates who were in the Holding Bay,
after which Jason Dundas was brought out by other inmates. The man was examined by prison officers on duty who observed him with injuries to the left side of his face and body.
 He was immediately rushed to the infirmary before being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined by doctors who pronounced him dead on arrival.
Jason Dundas was remanded to  prison last August 2019 for the offence of Possession of Narcotics for the Purpose of trafficking. He was awaiting trial.
The matter is currently under probe.

Wife dead husband critical following Berbice road accident

An accident which  occurred on the number 71 Public Road at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon has claimed the life of a 64 year old woman and has left her 58 year old husband hospitalized.
Lalita Rambaran, the elderly woman who succumbed to her injuries at the scene was the pillion rider on the motorcycle with her husband Rishi Rambaran.
According to a police report, Rambaran was riding his motorcycle on the eastern drive lane when he turned from East to west and into the path of a speeding car that was proceeding south along the same drive lane, as a result the front of the car collided with the motorcycle.
Driver of the vehicle, who is attached to the GRA alleged that he attempted to swerve to avoid a collision but failed and collided with the motorcycle.
The couple was tossed into the air after the impact; however Rishi fell onto the ground while his wife, after landing on the ground was ran over by another vehicle that was behind.
Lalita’s leg was severed and her husband Rishi suffered injuries about his body.
She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Skeldon hospital and Rishi was transferred to New Amsterdam hospital where he will he undergoing surgery.
The couple lived alone at number 73 Village Corentyne, Berbice.