Guyana surpasses 400 COVID-19 cases

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases continue to climb and on Thursday it exceeded 400 known cases.

The Ministry of Public Health revealed that three more cases were recorded on Thursday from 78 additional tests bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 401.

Two of the new cases were recorded in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and one was recorded in Georgetown, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud revealed.

With 20 deaths and 185 recoveries, there are 196 active cases in institutional isolation including three persons in the COVID-19 ICU. There are 50 persons in institutional quarantine.

Within the span of six days, Guyana recorded 49 new cases. Thus far, the total number of tests done is 5,890; the number of persons tested is 4,641 with 4,240 persons being negative.

With Muslims celebrating Eid Ul Adha Friday along with the observance of Emancipation Day Saturday, Dr Persaud urged that the COVID-19 guidelines be

“I also wish to state that our Muslim counterparts must be cognizant of the local COVID-19 situation and make the necessary adjustments so that exposure to the virus is nullified.

“This means that the practice of social distancing must be prioritized and strictly adhered to; no more than 10 persons congregating with visible 6 feet demarcations and more importantly, alternative arrangements must be put in place regarding the distribution of meat to the needy.

“Similarly, on Saturday August 1st, Emancipation Day will be celebrated nationally. The Ministry is once again pleading with all to ensure that the COVID guidelines are at the core of these celebrations. You are all aware of the highly contagious nature of this disease and of the continuous increase locally of our cases.”