A doctor and two nurses attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital are among the 13 positive COVID-19 cases in Region 6, East Berbice Corentyne, according to the Regional Chairman, David Armogan.
At a press conference Tuesday, Armogan said several additional measures will be put in place to curb the spread of the deadly virus as the region anticipates an increase in the number of cases with 60 results still pending.
The majority of the COVID-19 cases recorded in the region are asymptomatic meaning persons do not show any symptoms.
This is worrisome, according to Armogan who noted that persons can have the deadly virus without knowing.
The Chairman revealed that of the 13 Cubans who illegally entered Guyana two weeks ago via the backtrack route from Suriname, five tested positive for COVID-19. The bus driver who transported the foreign nationals also tested positive.
The Chairman said the doctor and two nurses contracted the virus from a female patient who tested positive last week after being admitted at the hospital for surgery.
Eleven persons are in institutional quarantine, 15 persons are in home quarantine, while eight persons are in institutional isolation.
He noted the results for the 60 other persons who were tested are expected later in the week. Authorities in the region have since made contact with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to have two other houses in the compound at Rose Hall, East Canje made available for quarantine and housing of medical staff.
Additionally, the authorities are in discussions with the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony to have their own machine available for testing to avoid delays as well as looking to set up a ‘COVID-19 ward’ in either the New Amsterdam or Port Mourant Hospital.
To facilitate this, the region will receive two ventilators along with other equipment and supplies from the Ministry of Health.
The majority of all these positive cases do not show any symptoms. I am wondering now how reliable and accurate are these tests.