Guyana a long way from returning to normal says CMO as 10 new COVID-19 cases recorded

With ten new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud said the country is a long way from returning to normal as persons are refusing to change their way of life and thus fueling the spread of the disease.

The ten new cases COVID-19 cases bring the total number to 245.

The Ministry of Public Health did not reveal where the new cases were confirmed.

Over the past few days, Santa Rosa in Moruca, Region One has emerged to be the new hotspot for the disease.

Dr. Persaud “with this disease being embedded in some of our hardest to reach areas in the hinterland region, and even along the coast-land, the behaviour pattern which is a part of our culture that you choose not to change, continues to be the platform that is fueling the transmission.”

In its daily update, the Ministry revealed that 26 persons were tested in the past 24hrs bringing the total number of tests to date to 2,578.

The number of persons in institutional isolation has moved to 119 while 16 persons are in institutional quarantine.

One person is currently in the COVID-19 ICU.

A total of 114 persons have recovered to date while there were 12 deaths.

Dr. Persaud in a statement said to change the pattern of transmission, personal sacrifice is needed. He urged persons to remain hospitable but from a distance.

“My fellow Guyanese, we have examples of what is needed to stop the spread of this disease from some of our brother and sister Caribbean countries. Let’s not continue to think that 12 deaths mean that we are in a safe position,” he pleaded.

The CMO cautioned that the longer the disease is around will mean the longer the economy is affected and by extension the education of children.

“Please note that the full effect of COVID-19 on the human body is not fully known; you can recover from the Coronavirus disease but may develop other conditions that you previously did not have, which can result in possible death,” he added.

With students set to write their NGSA exams on Wednesday and Thursday, the Ministry encouraged them to adhere to the safety guidelines.