Coronavirus cases in Guyana rise to 116

Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle
Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle

Guyana has recorded new COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 116.

While stating that the COVID-19 situation in Guyana has not improved, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle yesterday reported that three new cases of the virus were recorded.

During the daily COVID-19 update, she added that the positive cases have grown significantly over the last two weeks as community transmission is taking place. She also noted that over 35% of the cases recorded are asymptomatic.

Gordon-Boyle also said 13 more persons were tested for the virus, which brought the total number of persons tested up to 1065. It was further noted that the number of deaths remained at 10, while the number of persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit remains at three.

Five persons are currently in institutional quarantine facilities while 63 are in institutional isolation. The number of persons in institutional isolation can be used to identify the number of active cases. 43 persons have so far recovered from the virus.

Dr Gordon-Boyle stated that health authorities are currently working on strengthening the health system to respond to the global pandemic on a longer term basis. She added that the setting up of mobile units in various locations is part of that plan “to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network where patients across the ten administrative regions will be able to access these services.”

As she noted that the health authorities have heard the concerns persons have as it relates to persons not being compliant with isolation and quarantine, Gordon-Boyle said “we are hoping that the love we have for our families, fellow citizens and country will be enough to have us act responsibly.”

Additionally, a special appeal was made to members of the mining community as miners who are on the coastland were urged to immediately seek medical assistance if they have any of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before going to interior, while those already at the mining camps were urged to immediately isolate themselves at their current locations while contact is made with the nearest health facility.