MOPH prepared to deal with 1400 projected COVID-19 cases

Guyana is expected to confirm roughly 1400 cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 at the end of the global pandemic.

This is according to the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and was disclosed by Public Health Minister Hon. Volda Lawrence in her daily COVID-19 update to the nation today.

Minister Lawrence expressed her confidence in the ministry’s preparedness to handle the projected cases. She disclosed that the health ministry will have 300 isolation beds in place for persons who have been tested positive for COVID-19.

As of March 30 2020, in Guyana, a total of 46 persons have been tested, moving the number up by two from Saturday.

Thirty-seven of the persons tested have reported negative while eight have had positive COVID-19 diagnoses. One person’s test returned inconclusive.

Thirty-six persons are now in institutional quarantine. Of the eight confirmed cases in Guyana, five were locally transmitted. Two of the confirmed cases have now been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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

Global figures as of 30 March 2020 show that the number of confirmed cases exceed 693,000 While the number of deaths is over 33,000. These figures represent 210 countries.

In the Region of the Americas there are 120, 798 confirmed cases and 1,973 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.

Two COVID-19 patients moved to Intensive Care

Two of the eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This was announced by Minister of Public Health, Honourable Volda Lawrence at the National COVID-19 press conference today.

As of March 30, 2020, Guyana’s confirmed cases remain at eight, with 46 persons being tested for the virus. One person’s test has returned inconclusive.

There is one case from Region Three, six cases from Region Four and another case from Region Six.  Four of these cases were imported while the others are as a result of local transmission.

Imported cases are those persons who became infected outside of Guyana and then travelled here, while local cases are those persons who became were infected in Guyana.

With PAHO/WHO’s projecting that Guyana will eventually reach 1400 COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Public Health has put measures in place to accommodate and treat patients.

One hundred ICU beds will be made available for COVID-19 patients while 300 isolation beds and 730 beds for institutional quarantine will be provided.

BREAKING: Marcus Bisram re-arrested

BREAKING: Murder accused Marcus Bisram rearrested

Hours after he was freed of the murder of Corentyne Carpenter Fitaz Narinedatt, Marcus Bisram was rearrested.

The DPP instructed that the matter be heard in the High Court.

Bisram earlier today appeared in the Whim Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Renita Singh where a no case submission was upheld.
Details emerging.

Police from Springlands – Upper Corentyne moments ago swooped down on millionaire murder accused.

He was in his village purchasing alcohol and celebrating when the lawmen made the arrest.

Bisram has three cars filled with men who are said to be his bodyguards.

This newscast understands that he is in the police compound locked in his car and refuses to exit. As such the police was instructed to lock the police station compound and ensure he does not leave the build.

Bisram will be taken to prison and await the calling of the matter at the High Court.

We will provide you with videos and additional details in a subsequent post.

VIDEO: Millionaire murder accused Marcus Bisram walks free

The Bisram murder trial was a national embarrassment says, attorney Dexter Todd.
Marcus Bisram is now a free man after Magistrate                                       Renita Singh upheld a no case submission presented by his defense lawyers.
Bisram was before the court for the murder of Corentyne Carpenter Fiyaz Narinedatt.

Bisram was said to be the mastermind behind that murder. All along, Bisram’s lawyers have maintained that the state had no evidence to link Bisram to the crime. Attorney Dexter Todd said prior to Bisram’s extradition he wrote to the DPP to recall the application for the extradition since the case was so weak in his opinion.
He said this has been Guyana’s first extradition case and it turned out to be a national embarrassment.
He said the prosecution was depending on the main witness who is a 17-year-old.

Bisram lost his extradition case in the United States and was extradited to Guyana on November 21st, 2019 to answer to the murder charge.

A US judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence presented to the Court for Guyanese born US businessman, Marcus Bisram to be extradited to Guyana.

Bisram was said to be the alleged mastermind in the murder of Corentyne carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt.

Narinedatt’s body was discovered on the Corentyne Highway at a scene which appeared to be that of a hit and run accident. It was later revealed that the father of two, was murdered and his body dumped, to stage the crime scene.

Proactive measures taken to keep COVID-19 out prisons

The Guyana Prison Service is taking proactive measures to ensure the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is kept out of the country’s prisons.

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels confirmed that precautionary measures are being implemented at all the prisons countrywide.

The Prisons Director said wash stations have been established at all locations. It was also highlighted that the frequency with which the prison facilities are cleaned has been significantly increased after the necessary items required were procured.

Samuels also noted that as a result of the courts take the measure to only hear priority cases, there has been less movement of inmates. He highlighted however that systems are in place for new inmates entering the prisons.

“The court has reduced the hearing of matters so traffic in terms of persons attending court has reduced significantly but at the two admission prisons – that is Lusignan and New Amsterdam – we have identified an area for those persons who may be coming from the courts so that they can spend the recommended period of 14 days there and once they are cleared then they will go into the general population,” he explained.

Samuels further said that hand sanitizers are in place for staff, inmates and visitors to use. There has also been a reduction in the frequency of visits to the prisons.

“Remanded prisoners who were allowed two visits per week are now receiving one visit every two weeks, convicted persons are still receiving one visit per month but the time have been reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes,” Samuels stated.

Systems are in place to ensure staff sanitise before they enter the prison and while on duty.

Additionally, Samuels pointed out the Guyana Prison Service have collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health to host sensitisation sessions for senior staff, welfare officers and medical staff. These persons are tasked with disseminating the information garnered to other staff and inmates.

Region Ten residents adhere to curfew to tackle COVID 19

The mandatory curfew implemented in Region Ten on Saturday saw residents and business owners fully complying.  This was evident in Linden as well as in the outlying communities such as Ituni, Kwakwani and Mabura.

The curfew was instituted by the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

It mandates that from 05:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs, regular citizens will not be allowed in public spaces, except for essential workers such as nurses, police, military and personnel from Guyana Power and Light incorporated and Guyana Water Incorporated.

These persons are expected to have their respective employee identification on them at all times.

All businesses must be closed from 06:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs, except for supermarkets and pharmacies, which have to be closed at 19:00 hrs. During this period restaurants and bars can only offer delivery and eat-out services.

Residents were given a reminder at the respective times scheduled with the blowing of the bauxite horn.

Linden Mayor Her Worship Waneka Arrindell noted her satisfaction that the streets were cleared and businesses closed as mandated.

“I was very pleased to see Lindeners willing to support. Lindeners understood the need for the curfew and we also had the radio station keeping them entertained with programmes,” Arrindell said.

The Mayor disclosed that on Monday, March 31, members of the RHEC will be visiting businesses to ensure social distancing and sanitisation practices are being implemented.

Some business such as Banks DIH Linden Branch, supermarkets and barbershops have already implemented social distancing practices. 

Mayor Arrindell reminded Region Ten residents if they exhibit symptoms related to the virus, they are to call the hotline numbers 444-6137 and 444-6127 to contact health officials.

The curfew will last for two weeks, after which it will be reviewed.

 

Minister Lawrence visits quarantine centre

Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence has emphatically reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen who is currently quarantined receives adequate health care.

Making good on this promise, on Sunday afternoon the Public Health Minister made an impromptu visit to one of the quarantine centers, where she hosted separate discussions with the staff members and residents at the facility.

The center houses approximately 20 individuals, most of whom traveled home recently from Barbados.

During her engagement with the group, Minister Lawrence iterated that the COVID-19 pandemic is not to be taken casually and it requires the aid of every Guyanese to be contained.

Referring to the negative comments on social media, the Public Health Minister said the intensity of the global epidemic requires full cooperation and should not involve politics.

CDC Director General Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig (forefront) and officers of the agency during the visit to the quarantine center

“The Ministry of Public Health is being led by myself and team and for us, this is about life and death, not politics. This disease does not come and ask you which party you belong to or who you voted for,” Minister Lawrence remarked.

She pointed out the importance of being quarantined, noting that the decision taken by the authorities will benefit both the individuals and their families.

Persons at the institution will be quarantined for 14 days and will undergo a thorough assessment by medical officials at the site. Once no symptoms are detected, the patient will be discharged.

Minister Lawrence said a separate location is prepared for persons who exhibit the signs and symptoms matching COVID-19.

Meanwhile, addressing the employees, Minister Lawrence said it is important for every employee at the quarantine facility to practice social distancing and take all precautionary measures.

“We are here to ensure that when all the rules are laid out you first must follow them and make sure your job is done the correct way.”

Doctor in charge, Terrence George disclosed that the administration is implementing every necessary system to ensure that the residents are comfortable.  He said they have improved the facility since operations commenced there, and daily, new systems are being implemented.

The residents have since expressed their satisfaction with the “improved services” they have received.

Present too during the visit were Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Public Health Collette Adam and Director General (ag) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig.

 

 

New Amsterdam residents to be indoors by 7 pm as part of measures to tackle COVID-19 

The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has implemented sterner measures to reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The municipality’s public relations department on Sunday afternoon advised that all corner-side bars, night clubs, and beauty/hair parlors, barber shops, tattoo and piercing shops are to be closed immediately.

“Fish shops and hangout spots are to be closed completely,” the advisory stated.

A new 4:30 pm curfew has now been implemented for supermarkets and grocery shops as opposed to 7 pm deadline which was announced earlier this week. These proprietors are urged to monitor the number of customers seeking services at once.

Restaurants are only allowed to offer delivery services until 4 pm and pharmacies are to be closed at 6 pm instead of the previously announced time of 8 pm.

The New Amsterdam Municipal Business Complex will be closed on Monday, March 31 for a sanitization exercise. While one of the town’s busiest thoroughfare – along Pitt Street – will be closed immediately and the area will also undergo a sanitization exercise on Tuesday, March 31.

The Council outlined that on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the municipal market will offer services up to noon and will be closed for the entire day on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Only persons selling essential products including meat and vegetables will be allowed to vend in the market.

All religious houses of worship are asked to be closed until further notice.

Residents are instructed to be indoors by 7 pm. Failure to comply with the new guidelines will see the Guyana Police Force taking necessary action.

Her Worship Mayor, Winifred Haywood has advised residents to adhere to the health advisories and precautions.

Former attorney general’s driver allegedly commits suicide

Dead is Reaaz Holladar, the driver of former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.

There are reports that he allegedly committed suicide at his Omari and Delph Street Prashad Nagar residence. This newscast understands that Holladar and his wife lived in one of the apartments in the complex.

Holladar through Nandlall and the opposition People’s Progressive Party filed an affidavit questioning Region 4 Returning Officer Mortima Mingo’s declaration of the region 4 General and Region Elections results.

 

He also recently filed another affidavit blocking the Region Four and national declaration of results from the 2nd March elections.

Neighbors said before the man allegedly committed the act he was heard arguing with his wife in the yard.

The Police are investigating the matter.