Eight Presidential Guards tested positive for COVID-19

The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that eight ranks of the Presidential Guard Unit were tested positive with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are recovering.

In a short statement on Wednesday evening, Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan said the ranks were tested “recently.”

He said, “as result of the presence of COVID-19 in Guyana, the Presidential Guard Unit in conformity with the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health, conducted random testing on ranks within the department.”

The Police PRO noted that “eight ranks of the uniform section were tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. They are currently convalescing in quarantine.”

He explained that there is a uniformed section and a plainclothes section of the Presidential Guard Unit. The uniformed ranks are not the ones who usually accompany the President but are assigned to providing security at State House –the President’s residence –and the Office of the President.

“Please note that the ranks ARE NOT from the VIP close protection section but are all part of the Special Protective Service (SPS),” the police PRO added.

Guyana so far recorded 125 cases of COVID-19 with 10 deaths.