3-Y-O among new COVID-19 cases in Bartica

A three-year-old child is among four persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 in Bartica and are among the new cases reported on June 26.

They all came into contact with the Town’s first case which was recorded on June 24.

Regional Health Officer Dr. Edward Sagala in a statement on Saturday disclosed that following the first diagnosis, ten samples were taken from the primary family contacts of which four tested positive and five were negative. The last result is still outstanding, he said.

“All of the contacts are from Bartica and are now in institutional isolation for fourteen days, as is mandated by the COVID-19 guidelines, then they will be retested,” Dr. Sagala noted.

Dr Sagala explained that an additional 16 samples were taken from persons including health care workers but those results are still outstanding.

The Regional Health Officer lambaste Barticians who continuously flout and ignore the advisories that the Health Department.

“What is sad and of increasing concern is the fact that Barticians are continuously flaunting/ignoring the advisories that the Health Department, time and time again, has been preaching, and no one seems to be listening, showing care or even bothering at all,” he said.

Dr. Sagala noted that “face masks are not worn; instead, individuals keep them in their bags and pockets. Social distancing is not being observed at all. Small children can be seen wandering on the road unsupervised. Where are the parents? Barticians still continue to be casual and unconcerned, despite our constant reminders that we are facing a deadly disease.”

As of June 26, Guyana confirmed 230 cases of COVID-19, including 109 recoveries and 12 deaths.