Bartica records first COVID-19 case

A male resident of Bartica, Region Seven has tested positive for COVID-19; the patient is showing symptoms of the diseases, Regional Health Officer Dr Edward Sagala said in a statement Wednesday.

The patient, who is the first person to be tested positive in Bartica, was immediately transferred to an isolation facility in Georgetown for further care, the statement said.

The patient recently travelled to Oku in the Mazaruni Mining District.

A total of ten persons who were in contact with the patient were also tested on Thursday. The results are expected by the end of the week.

“We continue to remind the Bartica Community again that COVID-19 is a real danger and have not disappeared, and will not do so soon. This disease spreads like wildfire and it kills. As such, we remind everyone to continue to seriously observe ALL the advisories, including hand-washing, wearing of masks, social distancing and observing the curfew,” Dr Sagala stated.

Visiting of patients at the Bartica Hospital is currently prohibited, and persons are advised to avoid visiting the hospital unless it is an emergency.

The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) stated on Monday after an alarming increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Regions One and Seven, that there will be implementing stricter measures in those regions to tackle the spread of the disease.

A total of 42 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Region One as of June 22, 2020, while Aranka in Region Seven reported 31 cases as of June 24, 2020.