No new COVID-19 case; Regions 1, 4 & 7 most affected

Guyana did not record any new cases of COVID-19 as of June 19, 2020. In its daily COVID-19 update Friday, the Ministry of Public Health stated that the total number of confirmed cases remains at 183 and the number of COVID-19 deaths remains at 12.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud said a total of 2,048 tests were conducted so far with 1865 being negative but he did not reveal how many additional tests were done within the last 24 hours.

A total of 102 persons have recovered to date; there are 69 active cases in institutional isolation and 24 cases in institutional quarantine. There is no patient in the COVID-19 ICU.

With no reduction of COVID-19 cases in the bordering countries, the Ministry is also urging that persons take extra precaution.

Currently, Regions 1, 4 and 7 are the most affected regions in the country, with Aranka, Region 7 having the second-highest number of cases.

“The Cuyuni -Mazaruni Region notably Aranka, has the second-highest number of confirmed cases; it is a mining community which means that there is continuous movement in and out of the area; this makes it extremely vulnerable for the disease to spread.”

The mining community is now one of the most vulnerable groups for the spread of this disease

It must also be noted that males continue to be most affected by this disease along with the adult population especially the 20-29 age group.

Meanwhile, Dr Persaud is urging that there be no gathering for Father’s Day this weekend.

“We are approaching another weekend and for many if not all of you, as is customary, it will be a weekend of grand celebration as a way of showing appreciation to all our fathers and expectant fathers. We are cognizant that this is a special activity, however, it’s our mandate to ensure that we celebrate with safety in mind,” Dr Persaud said.