Region One is now COVID-19 free after the last of the remaining patients were discharged from isolation facilities earlier this week.
According to the Regional Chairman of the Barima-Waini region, Brentnol Ashley, the sub-districts within the region that recorded cases of the respiratory illness have recorded no new cases in the past few days and the few remaining patients who were being isolated at various facilities in the region have all been discharged.“Both Moruca and Mabaruma sub-districts are now COVID free and we are ensuring that the necessary precautions are followed at all times so we can remain COVID-19 free,” he added.
The region had recorded approximately 100 cases of COVID-19, inclusive of one death. The Moruca sub-district recorded 89 COVID-19 cases to date, while the Mabaruma sub-district recorded 11 cases. Mabaruma recorded its first case in April. Lolita Wong, a businesswoman, travelled from the region to Georgetown, where she spent eight days before she returned to Mabaruma. During her stay in Georgetown, she contracted the disease and two days after returning to Mabaruma, she developed symptoms. After confirming that she was infected with the disease, she was isolated and persons who she was in contact with were quarantined. No one else tested positive for the disease and Wong soon recovered.
However, in May the Moruca sub-district recorded another case unrelated to the case in Mabaruma. A few days later 59-year-old Vincent Torres died at the Kumaka District Hospital before being tested for the disease. He reportedly had all the signs and symptoms of the disease but it was soon confirmed that he died as a result of COVID-19. Thereafter, the number of COVID-19 cases increased. However, according to health authorities, the majority of the cases were asymptomatic.
A lockdown was subsequently imposed on the Moruca sub-district.
Meanwhile, although the region is now free of COVID-19, Ashley is advising persons to continue to take the necessary precautions and adhere to all emergency measures. “Continue to follow the guidelines that are in place, social distance, wear a mask when in public,” he said.
He noted that the lockdown measures are still in place for the Moruca sub-district and persons should adhere to those measures if they want to avoid a second outbreak.
