30 medical technologists to be trained in PCR COVID-19 testing

A total of 30 medical technologists will soon be trained to test for COVID-19 according to the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony.

The Health Minister explained that more COVID-19 testing needs to be done to better ascertain and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana.

Dr Anthony explained that if there is no testing, there will be no results and persons will continue to believe that there is no infection.

The training with the medical technologists will be done in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

“This will substantially increase our capacity to do testing and by testing we will then know how many people are infected and what precautions we need to take,” the Minister said Wednesday.

The PAHO/WHO has been supporting the country throughout the health crisis and on Wednesday donated additional medical supplies to the Health Ministry at the Materials Management Unit at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The items donated on Wednesday include 10,000 complete COVID-19 test kits, examination stethoscopes, oxygen concentrators, 264,000 masks including surgical and oxygen, personal protective equipment, 50,000 face shields and 2800 goggles.

Dr Anthony said the items will not only benefit frontline health workers but also assist patients.

“If we don’t have the right type of equipment then we are putting patients’ safety at risk.

“We are very pleased with PAHO, which has helped us to ensure we have these types of equipment,” the Minister said.

PAHO/WHO Country Representative for Guyana, Dr William Adu Krow assured that the organisation will continue to support Guyana’s COVID-19 fight and further revealed that 30,000 test kits will arrive next week.

“On behalf of the PAHO Country Office I would like to make this donation to you to help you in the work that you are doing and will continue to do with the mindset that we would be able to flatten to curb in such a way that we maintain our lives and maintain also our livelihood,” Dr Adu Krow said.

Guyana on August 11th 2020 surpassed 600 COVID-19 cases.

Thirty-four new cases were recorded on Tuesday and a total of 98 cases were recorded within the last four days.

To date over 5, 366 COVID-19 tests have been done and 22 persons have died.