19 new COVID cases recorded in Region Nine

A total of 19 new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Monday bringing the total known cases to 389.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, all 19 of the cases were recorded in Region Nine amounting to 41 cases in that region.

The News Room understands that health officials in the Region sent 47 samples to be tested at the weekend which includes samples taken in Potarinau where two elderly men died after coming into contact with persons who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Samples were also taken in several other far-flung villages including Katur, Baitoon and Quiko.

Region Nine shares a border with Brazil which has so far recorded over two million cases and 87,000 deaths. Authorities in the Region have been grappling with illegal border crossings as some persons are not utilising the systems in place to traverse between the two countries.

The Ministry of Public Health said 143 tests were done over the past 24hrs.

Eighteen COVID-19 cases were recorded at the weekend showing an increase of 37 in the past 72hrs.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud noted that cases continue to climb steadily especially in the hinterland regions.

He disclosed that “the new cases for the weekend came from Region 7 (9 cases) on Saturday; on Sunday 4 cases for Region 9 and 6 cases for Region 7; today (19 cases) are coming from Region 9.”

He is urging persons to do their part to stop the spread of the disease.

“We continue to emphasize that there is need for more community action.”

Village councilors, gate keepers and prominent members of the communities are being asked to ensure persons stay at home unless necessary, wear masks in public and avoid social gatherings.

The number of persons tested is 4,416 with 4,027 persons being negative.

The number of active cases in Institutional Isolation is 188 while 34 persons are in institutional quarantine and 4 persons are in the COVID-ICU.

To date, 181 persons have recovered while there were 20 deaths.

Of the cases recorded thus far, 57 persons were treated at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

While 11 persons died, 29 were transferred and nine successfully recovered and were discharged.