Six members of the Guyana Police Force, who are stationed in Region One (Barima-Waini), recently tested positive for the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after experiencing symptoms of dengue fever.
This was confirmed by Police Commander of Region One, Senior Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, who told Stabroek News that the ranks who include one Sergeant, two Corporals and three Constables recently received their positive results.
According to Ramlakhan, the ranks spent the last few days in institutional quarantine. However, during that period they showed no symptoms of the disease. As such, they were placed on home quarantine yesterday.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the ranks were prompted to visit the doctors about two weeks ago after they began to experience symptoms of dengue fever which is common in the region.
During their visits to the hospital, they were administered the COVID-19 test and the results subsequently returned positive. The ranks are all stationed at one police station.
Reports are that at no point the ranks experienced any symptoms related to COVID-19.
In recent weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana has risen sharply as testing has increased. As of yesterday, 19 new cases were recorded bringing the total number of cases to 1401. Of that figure, 200 cases are from Region One.
During a telephone interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Ramlakhan said while the ranks have been following and encouraging persons to adhere to the guidelines of wearing a face mask at all times, maintaining social distancing and sanitizing regularly, much more needs to be done in the region to educate persons about COVID-19.
As such, Ramlakhan explained that the police in his division have embarked on a number of measures in an effort to raise awareness about the deadly disease.
Only yesterday, he said ranks in the division embarked on a campaign which will focus on the use of face masks at all times.
During the campaign, Ramlakhan said a team of ranks, equipped with body cameras will be deployed to the hot spots in the regions such as the markets and persons who are seen without a face mask will be charged and placed before the court.
“We have some enforcement campaigns especially in the Mabaruma area where the farmers and other persons are coming from riverine areas. We got to walk the ground, educate people,” Ramlakhan said.
At present, he added that there are court hearings once every three months. However, he said efforts are underway to accommodate regular sittings so those who are charged can appear before a magistrate at the soonest, even if it’s virtually.
In addition, Ramlakhan noted that the police will be printing 200 copies of the COVID-19 emergency measures which will be distributed to residents of the region in order to educate them about the disease and the consequences if they are found breaching the restrictions.
“If we get someone to read it to a group of people and explain to them about this thing and the violations and so, that just might help in some way,” he said.
According to Ramlakhan, almost 90% of the region does not have access to the internet and the various forms of media and as such they are not properly informed.
