U.S Ambassador, Deputy in quarantine after contact with Foreign Minister

United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch and her Deputy Chief of Mission are in self-quarantined after they recently came into contact with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd who tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus on Wednesday.

A statement from the U.S Embassy here revealed that Ambassador Lynch and her Deputy were both tested for the virus and will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by medical personnel.

“Ambassador Lynch and the Embassy community are committed to the protocols laid out by the Guyanese Ministry of Health with regard to COVID-19,” the statement from the Embassy noted.

Ambassador Lynch met with the Foreign Minister on August 10.

Todd’s positive COVID-19 results sent the entire Cabinet into quarantine and forced President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and other Ministers to get tested.

Their results are pending. President Ali made the revelation of Todd’s condition in an address to the nation Wednesday afternoon.

The Ministry of Public Health has now embarked on a massive contact tracing campaign relating to Todd.

All Ministers have been instructed to work remotely until they receive the results of their COVID-19 test.

Todd was sworn in as the Minister on August 5 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre; he has since met with the President and other members of the Government and held familiarisation meetings with staff of the Foreign Ministry.

On Sunday last, he held a joint press conference at State House with the Foreign Minister of Suriname Albert Ramdin and other officials of the Surinamese delegation that visited Guyana for the inauguration ceremony of President Ali.

That ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre.

The Surinamese President and his delegation were informed and have been tested.