New COVID-19 case takes total to 67

The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that the total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana stands at 67 as of April 21, 2020.

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

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

Seventeen persons remain in institutional quarantine while 51 others are in isolation.  Three persons are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at GPHC.

There have been 2231 calls made to the COVID-19 hotline.

Globally, WHO has recorded 2,314,621 confirmed cases with 157,847 deaths. While in the Region of the Americas there are 858,631 confirmed cases with 40,615 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.

Bandits rob Corentyne family

By Farah Bates – Police are investigating a robbery under arms committed on 36-year-old Meena Kumarie of Lot 7, 13th street Whim Village Corentyne Berbice at about 01:30hrs Monday morning.

Three masked men armed with cutlasses escaped with some of the victim’s gold jewelry valued approximately $45,000 and a cellular phone valued $40,000.

Meena who lives with her 11-year-old daughter was asleep when she heard a loud noise coming from her veranda, upon checking to see what it was, she was confronted by the men who demanded cash.

The men, however took the jewelry she was wearing and her cellular phone after which they made good their escape.

Police were contacted and responded but they were unable to capture the suspects. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ex Policemen busted at the Berbice River Bridge with Marijuana

An Ex-police woman is on the run, while her husband who is also an ex-policeman is in custody after they were busted at a Police Checkpoint at the Berbice River Bridge.

Over 19 pounds of suspected cannabis was busted by Police ranks on duty at the Police Checkpoint at the Berbice River Bridge on Sunday. That incident has landed two ex-police ranks in hot water. One is currently on the run after she drove away from the police checkpoint with her children in the car.

According to a police report, 4 occupants inclusive of the driver who is an ex-policeman; the others being his wife, herself an ex-cop and their two infant children were traveling in the west-bound motorcar.

The Police report added that a search of the vehicle revealed seven parcels of suspected cannabis and as the driver was being cautioned of the offence, his wife reportedly fled the Checkpoint in the car along with the children.

The driver is currently in custody assisting with the investigation; the parcels when weighed amounted to nine kilograms.

The vehicle was later found parked in front of the suspects’ residence at No 2 Village, Canje, Berbice , and is presently lodged at the Central Police Station.

Speaking with this newscast Commander of B division Calvin Brutus said efforts are being made to have the woman apprehended.

Four Prisoners escape Lusignan prison

Four prisoners who were being held at the Lusignan Prison escaped last night while they were in the holding bay.

This was disclosed by Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels.

The escapees are murder accused Kenraul Perez of Mabaruma, North West District and Ganesh Dhanraj of Façade, Parika, West Coast West Coast Demerara.

The other two escapees are Anthony Padmore gle Street Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, who was being held for trafficking cannabis and Sasnarine Bisnauth Lot 22, Tuschen Housing Scheme who was being held for armed robbery.

Only recently, Mazaruni prison escapee Christopher Punch was recaptured on April 14 by members of the Guyana Prisons Service.

Anyone with information that could lead to the recapture of the escapees is asked to contact the 911 emergency line.

 

Guyana records 7th COVID-19 death

The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that another person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-190 has died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s ICU

This brings the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 to seven. In their update on Saturday, April 18, the Ministry had indicated that there were five persons in the ICU.

As of April 19, 2020, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guyana now stands at 65.

Of these 65 cases there have been nine recoveries.

To date, a total of 322 persons have been tested with 257 of those testing negative.

Twenty-one persons are in institutional quarantine while 49 others are in isolation.  Four persons are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at GPHC.

Globally, WHO has recorded 2,160,207 confirmed cases with 146,088 deaths. While in the Region of the Americas there are 784,272 confirmed cases with 35,742 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.

PAHO advises government not to relax COVID-19 measures

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has advised the government to maintain stringent emergency measures to contain local transmission of COVID-19.

During a virtual meeting on Friday, PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow noted that the measures implemented were necessary to respond to the emerging situation.

“The measures that have been put in place are working, the measures that individuals are also taking, putting up themselves to do their part is also working. We need to ensure national measures are enforced so that the few who do not go by those measures they are made to comply,” he stated.

The official acknowledged that there were other considerations.

“It is understood that we are fighting for people’s lives and we are fighting for people’s livelihoods, and we have to find a middle ground … and it is that middle point that is key and I am hoping we all come together to do what it is necessary.”

In a detailed presentation, Dr. Adu-Krow noted that the projected number of COVID-19 cases would only occur if nothing was done to contain the transmission. And with measures already in place, Guyana is below the average projection of cases

“On April 15, 295 cases were projected; we had only 55. That means 240 persons were spared. A lot is happening with the measures that have been put in place, and I think we need to also ensure that they are accepted by the population.”

He also reminded individuals of their responsibility to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from possibly contracting the virus.

“Let us continue the social distancing, the physical distancing, the sneeze and cough etiquette, staying at home, if you don’t have anywhere to go don’t go out. Let’s do the right thing so we can flatten the curve as early as possible so that we can go back to our lives,” Dr. Adu-Krow urged.

Tags: DPI, Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow, COVID-19 measures, Pan American Health Organisation World Health Organisation, advise government

Guyana’s COVID-19 number rise by 6; confirmed case now 63

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana has risen by ten as of April 17, 2020, taking the total to 63.

This was disclosed by Public Health Minister Hon. Volda Lawrence in the daily update to the nation.

Of these 63 cases Guyana has recorded six deaths and nine recoveries.

To date, a total of 283 persons have been tested with 220 of those testing negative.

Fifteen persons are in institutional quarantine while the 48 active cases remain in isolation.  Four persons are housed in the COVID-19 ICU at GPHC.

Globally, WHO has recorded 1, 991, 562 confirmed cases with 130,885 deaths. While in the Region of the Americas there are 707,121 confirmed cases with 30,245 deaths.

Calls to the COVID-19 hotline total 2,103.

The Health Minister drew attention to the fact that the highest number of positive cases are occurring in the 30-40 age group with a 4:1 ration of men to women.

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

GECOM’s Chairperson decides, ‘no more than 10 workstations for National Recount’

Below is the media release from GECOM:

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh, having considered all the circumstances in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the requirement of social distancing, has decided:

1. that there should be no more than ten (10) work stations, subject to the availability of the requisite equipment and technology to display the ballots;

2. that each work station should tabulate its own results;

3. that, for security reasons, all the work stations should be located inside the Conference Centre building.

The Chairperson has also written to the Prime Minister, as the Chairman of the National Covid-19 taskforce, with some specific requests relative to the proposed working hours in light of the curfew and for guidance on the occupancy of the identified venue.

In this regard, the Prime Minister has since indicated that an urgent meeting of the taskforce would be convened to discuss same and a response to the specific requests would be provided shortly.

The Commission intends to conclude its deliberations within the shortest time in order for the recount exercise to commence.