De facto Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence yesterday said that Guyana has recorded a 110% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in just under a month as she criticised citizens for not taking the pandemic seriously.
Although Guyana recorded no new COVID-19 cases up to yesterday, Lawrence noted the rate of increase in the number of cases despite measures being instituted to curb the spread of the virus.
Guyana’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded on March 11th. She said yesterday marked 50 days since the first case. On day nine, she noted, with six confirmed cases, the government began implementing measures with the closure of all international airports. On day 24, she added, when another 33 cases were confirmed, the Ministry of Public Health instituted the curfew, the rotation policy, the stay at home and work from home policies as well as the closing of several businesses. Since that time, she added, another 43 cases, representing a 110% increase in less than one month, were recorded.
“What is it that you want?” a clearly frustrated Lawrence questioned in a video posted to the ministry’s Facebook page just before showing several pictures of persons in overcrowded hospitals and coffins.
“It’s obvious that you are not taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. How else can we explain a 110% increase in positive cases in less than a month? How else can we explain people congregating to play dominos or having a few beers on the corner? How else can we explain people visiting family and friends as normal? My friends it’s time for us to get serious. It is unfair to those who are following the guidelines to be placed at unnecessary risk, especially our health workers, just because some of you don’t want to change your behaviour. You are being selfish. We are in a health crisis. I cannot put it differently. We are in a health crisis,” she added.
According to the coronavirus dashboard that was posted on the Ministry of Public Health’s Facebook page yesterday, the number of confirmed cases remains at 82 while the number of persons who have died as a result of the disease remained at nine. It stated that the number of persons who have been tested thus far was given as 582.
Currently, there are 49 persons in institutional isolation and 17 persons in institutional quarantine. There are now two persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, while the number of recovered cases has risen to 24.
Lawrence added that from day one persons were told that the spread of the disease can be stopped but it is up to the people to stop it. “Everyone has a role to play.
What role are you playing? Can you please stop venturing out unless you must? Stop the congregating in public places, stop visiting friends and family. Maintain the physical distancing. You know all the following guidelines, so please adhere to them so that we can get on with our lives and livelihood,” she added before thanking the health care workers for their service to the country.
During the video update, oncology specialist Dr Latoya Gooding addressed the persons who are diagnosed with cancer and on treatment, saying that it is important for them to know that they are very vulnerable and can be infected easily. She said they can develop the most severe symptoms of COVID-19, which can result in death.
She noted that cancer is the third most common cause of death in Guyana, with the most common types of cancer being breast, cervical and prostate cancer. The most affected are women between the ages of 30 and 45 years, who are at risk for cervical cancer, women above age 65 at risk for breast cancer, and men above age 50 who are at risk for prostate cancer.
She explained that these people are especially vulnerable because cancer weakens the immune system by attacking the white blood cells, which is the body’s first line of defence against bacteria, fungus and viruses, making it easy for cancer-afflicted persons to develop those types of disease, especially COVID-19. In addition, she said, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment can also weaken the immune system because while it is killing the cancerous cells, it is also affecting some white and red blood cells.
Gooding advised that the only way these persons can protect themselves is to stay at home and venture out only when necessary and when they do, they should wear face masks and avoid congregating. Persons were also told to continue washing their hands and clean surfaces in their home regularly with bleach or an alcohol based cleaning agent. “Use vitamins and all medications provided by heath care workers. Do not invite persons over to your home. Exercise and eat a balanced diet,” Gooding concluded.
