A total of 11 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport since October 12.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, in his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday, said over 1,000 persons were tested upon their arrival here.
“We keep monitoring once we detect a positive person…we have to do contact tracing for all persons who these passengers would have been in contact with…on their flight coming, where they’ve been sitting and the passengers who sat around them would have to be informed and so we’re able to do that as well,” he explained.
In keeping with international health obligations and agreements, the government has since informed the countries from which the passengers originated, of their status.
Since Guyana reopened its airports to commercial flights on October 12, persons who are not in possession of a PCR test result, which is less than 72 – hours old, are required to do a second test upon arrival; the test is done by Eureka Laboratory which has facilities set up at the airports and the cost is borne by the passengers.
Minister Anthony said Guyana has the capability to conduct 450- 600 COVID-19 tests per day but rapid improvements are ongoing to increase that to 1000-1,200 per day or more.
The Minister said the increased number of tests will also come from other laboratories which are getting their equipment certified for testing. Additionally, the government will be utilising rapid antigen tests in the hinterland regions.
