Following confirmation that another Deep South Rupununi community has recorded COVID-19 cases Aishalton will be proceeding on a total lockdown from tomorrow in an attempt to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
The Indigenous community of Maruranau yesterday recorded three COVID-19 cases confirming that the virus has spread to communities close to Aishalton. Aishalton first recorded multiple cases of the virus last week and its village council has since imposed stringent restrictions on the community.
Toshao of Aishalton and Vice Chairman of the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) Michael Thomas yesterday told Stabroek News that residents of several communities in the Deep South Rupununi have said that they have developed symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19.
He said that Maruranau was one of those communities and several residents were tested and it was later confirmed that they were infected with the virus. Faced with a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the Deep South Rupununi, he said the Aishalton Village Council was advised to impose a total lockdown so that no one will be allowed to enter or leave the community. The total lockdown will come into effect tomorrow and will last until May 6th. Restrictions and a partial lockdown was imposed on the community last week.
The Village Council of Maruranau is also contemplating a lockdown, according to its Toshao. In brief comments, the Toshao informed that he is in Lethem but was made aware that the community now has confirmed COVID-19 cases. While he is unclear how his villagers could’ve contracted the disease, he stated that they will treat the situation with the seriousness it requires and a total lockdown may be the only way to stop the virus from spreading to other close-by communities.
However, he said, this will be decided today when he holds an emergency meeting with members of the village council. Maruranau is located between two other indigenous communities in the Deep South Rupununi.
Meanwhile, Thomas said that testing is being done on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays so that swabs can be sent on the flights to Georgetown the following days. However, he stated, with so many reports of persons complaining of symptoms there is an urgent need for more testing to be done within the communities in the Deep South. He said he has since indicated such to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall who visited Aishalton yesterday to deliver 350 hampers to affected residents.
According to Thomas more than 60 families comprising almost 200 persons in Aishalton have already been affected by the virus’s presence. Given the number, the SRDC and the Regional Democratic Council has lent their support to the Village Council by donating hampers as they brace for an increase in COVID-19 cases.
He added that the Village Council is also assisting by the provision of beef to the families. He noted that they have formed a group whose function is to purchase and deliver the necessary supplies upon request by those in quarantine or isolation.
Thus far the community has 3 active COVID-19 cases and 39 outstanding test results. Thomas said that results are expected sometime today but noted that many of the persons who were swabbed were displaying moderate to severe symptoms of the virus.
In fact, he said most of the persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have been experiencing shortness of breath, headaches and fever. As a result many persons are adhering to the restrictions in place and have begun to realize that the pandemic is serious. “Everybody is cooperating now,” he said.
Asked if any particular age group is affected, Thomas stated that everyone including children as young as five years, young adults and the elderly are affected.
Aishalton has recorded one COVID-19 death.
