Man rushed to Bartica Hospital for Malaria dies from COVID-19

A 32-year-old man who was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital with what was suspected to be malaria has died from COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health in a statement related that the man was a resident of Region One but was working in a mining community in the Cuyuni River, Region 7.

He died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at the hospital and was then swabbed.

The Ministry said he was swabbed “because of his previous contact with other possible cases at his work site.”

Tuesday’s death came as the third COVID-19 related fatality in three days.

Guyana on Monday recorded its 24th COVID-19 related death –an 87-year-old male of Grove, East Bank Demerara who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

His death followed that of a 73-year-old man of Kuru Kururu Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

The Ministry of Health said it is in contact with all relatives and other contacts to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed.

Members of the public are encouraged to observe the COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES #8 published in the Official Gazette on 14 August 2020 which emphasises the need to practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet, using a facemask correctly and consistently when leaving home and practising good handing washing hygiene to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers 231 1166, 226 7480 or 180/181 for assistance.