Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle yesterday confirmed four new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Guyana, bringing the total number of positive cases to 23.
Gordon-Boyle made this disclosure during the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) update on the COVID-19 situation in Guyana, in which she explained that the four new cases had been confirmed at April 2nd.
The number of persons who have been tested increased from 75 to 83. Out of that number, 59 persons tested negative and there has been one inconclusive case.
Gordon-Boyle did not identify the region from which the four additional cases have surfaced. Most of the cases so far have been concentrated in Region Four.
The new confirmed cases brought the total number to 19 active cases and four deaths.
Gordon-Boyle also disclosed that 34 persons are in institutional quarantine, while 12 persons are in institutional isolation and 149 persons are on home quarantine.
The DCMO also revealed that persons who have been in contact with COVID-19 patients are not providing the ministry with accurate information, thereby making it difficult for them to manage the situation. She added that persons who are placed on home quarantine are either refusing to adhere to instructions given by the surveillance officers or are downright refusing to go on quarantine. “I am pleading to all of you to be responsible, to take this situation seriously and to assist us in our efforts to combat the coronavirus disease in Guyana,” she stated.
Screening app
Meanwhile, Gordon-Boyle noted that due to the limited amount of COVID-19 tests, the Ministry will launch an app tomorrow on the National Communications Network (NCN) that allows persons to conduct a self-test on themselves. The information they give will go to a surveillance team, which will contact the persons that fit any of the scenarios that was outlined by the WHO for persons to be tested. For areas where NCN is not televised, persons can tune in to the radio for guidelines on how to use the app, which basically functions like the COVID-19 hotline.
“The app will further strengthen the efforts made thus far by the MoPH to meet the needs of persons who may suspect that they meet the signs and symptoms of COVID-9. MoPH is working assiduously to have the necessary lab equipment available as soon as possible to increase the number of COVID-19 tests being done,” she added.
Gordon-Boyle noted that environmental health offices across the country have also been working assiduously to ensure that hand washing facilities are established at all public and private spaces in an effort to slow the disease.
Addressing heath care workers, she noted that the work they are doing is going to become challenging before adding that the MoPH is putting measures in place for their protection. She revealed that MoPH is working with the Ministry of Communities to ensure that health workers are transported to and from work for their protection. In addition, she said, the MoPH is looking at provision for housing for those health workers dealing with critical persons so as to reduce the risk of infecting their family members.
Gordon-Boyle stressed that everyone is at risk of contracting the disease and asked persons to comply with the preventative measures that have been outlined by the MoPH and its partners. “I wish to emphasise that everyone is at risk for contracting this disease, therefore the ministry is begging you to do your part and adhere to all credible advisories that have been circulating in the media for your protection and mine,” she added before asking persons not to venture outside unless it’s absolutely necessary.
However, she stated, if someone must go out, they must ensure that their mouths and nose are covered and adhere to precautionary measure like maintaining social distancing, avoiding touching the face and washing hands frequently.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. The disease causes respiratory illness with symptoms including coughing, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. It was first recorded in Wuhan, China and has since spread across the globe causing the World Health Organization (WHO) to label it a global pandemic.
The first person to be diagnosed, a 52-year-old woman who travelled from the United States to Guyana, died on March 11. A number of her relatives have subsequently tested positive for the disease and were placed in institutional quarantine. The second persons who died was identified as the managing director of Reliance HealthCare, Jermaine Ifill. He died last Tuesday. The third person was identified as 78-year-old Osa Collins from New Amsterdam while the fourth COVID-19 victim was identified as 59-year-old Shadrach Stoll, a resident of Sophia. All the persons who died reportedly suffered from underlying health conditions.
