One new COVID-19 case takes overall total to 351

The Ministry of Public Health on Thursday revealed that one more person tested positive for COVID-19 from 56 tests conducted while 11 more have recovered from the disease as of July 23.

As such, there are now 351 known cases in Guyana with 176 recoveries and 19 deaths. This means that there are 156 cases in institutional isolation including two persons in the COVID-19 ICU.

There 33 persons are in institutional quarantine.  To date, 5,263 tests were done including those who were re-tested.

The Ministry also released a number of guidelines that can be adopted in workplaces that are in keeping with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1997 Chapter 99.06.

“Employers should ensure that junior staff are enabled to follow mandatory norms and standards,” the ministry said.

See guidelines below:

Travel

Employees should use private transportation whenever possible; whenever circumstances permit employers should facilitate transportation of employees to and from work to reduce the probability to exposure when using public transportation.

Entrances

NB: only persons, employers/employees/customers, wearing masks should be allowed to enter buildings.

All entrances to public and private workplaces should have screening and hygiene blocks. Screening will entail taking temperatures with the laser thermometer; hygiene blocks should comprise sinks with running water and liquid soap or hand sanitizing stations.

Workplaces must decide on their policies re persons with elevated temperatures (referral for further investigation or returning home and seeking further medical advice.)

Office Layout to facilitate social distancing)

Employers should erect plexi-glass or other transparent barriers between staff area and the public; there should be clear demarcations showing 6 feet distancing either on floors or walls to guide the public.

Employers should:

Rearrange office space to facilitate 6 -foot distancing

Reduce in person meetings to barest essentials (technology such as zoom can be used to conduct meetings)

Discourage employee congregation (water dispensers, coffee station, dining room and rest rooms) lunch period/breaks should be staggered and staff where possible can be encouraged to have lunch at their desks.