Up to Friday, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) had confirmed a total of 40 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases after two new additional positive tests were recorded.
A statement by the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) on Friday stated the region recorded two additional COVID-19 cases bring the total number of confirmed cases thus far to 40, inclusive of one death. It was also disclosed that 15 persons have recovered from the disease and have been subsequently discharged. According to the statement, one person is currently awaiting the result of their COVID-19 test while only two persons are in institutional isolation.
The statement added that there are no reported cases in the Upper/Middle Mazaruni area. However, the Oku mining area is now a place of interest.
“All residents are reminded to adhere to the advisories and prevention protocols that are continuously issued by the Department of Health. Wash hands as often as possible, avoid crowds, maintain social distance, wear a face mask whenever you go out in public,” the statement reminded.
As of Friday, according to the statement, 431 persons were screened by the Health Department team that was dispatched to Puruni Landing.
The Department of Health was awaiting a report from the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) on its operations in Aranka.
Meanwhile, a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated that screening and testing in Aranka/Arangoy had begun while efforts were being put into a massive COVID-19 education campaign for miners and persons frequenting the area.
According to the report, the Deputy Director of the HEOC, Dr Leston Payne, described the multi-sectoral approach as a necessary one, adding that the team comprises of the Public Health team, the Corps of Wardens and the police. “So, the approach is a multi-sectoral one where we will be focusing on educating the populace because they need to know what we are dealing with,” DPI quoted Payne as saying.
Payne reportedly added that strict measures will be implemented to stop the number of COVID-19 cases from increasing. This, he says, will have an adverse economic effect on the miners. Meanwhile, the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Public Relations Officer Gomatie Gangadin explained that the measures Payne is referring to are the very measures that were outlined in the second phase of the reopening document which contained special measures for Aranka in Region Seven and the Moruca sub-district in Region One. She added that the team that is currently in Aranka will ensure that those measures are enforced.
Meanwhile, Aranka resident, Wilbur Wade, told the DPI that he welcomed and appreciated the initiative “because a lot of people in this’ backdam’ not taking it seriously.” Wade also told DPI that despite the fact that many people are aware that COVID-19 has made its way into the area, they are still not wearing masks. According to DPI report, the NCTF team is expected to remain in the area until the situation is under control.
