The indigenous village of Wakapoa, located in the Pomeroon River, Region Two, is among several COVID-19 hotspot communities in Guyana.
Wakapoa, a village that is made up of about 17 islands, was one of the few communities in Guyana that had not previously been affected by the pandemic.
About a month ago, the village recorded its first 10 cases.
The village presently has 59 positive cases, the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony revealed during his COVID-19 Update on Monday.
The Village Toshao Lloyd Perreira told the News Room that among those who tested positive are three teachers and other staff.
The Toshao explained that they have been asking for testing on all the islands since the pandemic began.
In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, all churches are to close their doors and there will be no sporting activity and no social gathering, the Toshao explained.
Additionally, boat operators can only work on Mondays and Fridays. These measures will be in place until the situation is under control.
All patients who tested positive are in home isolation and being cared for by family members since there is not enough healthcare workers in the village
“I think as a Toshao, I need the support of the ministry and the region,” Toshao Pereira said.
Vaccination
According to the Toshao, residents are eager to be vaccinated, but have to travel to Charity on the Essequibo Coast, which is costly.
“It is very costly to get to Charity; it is like $5,000 return. I can safely say people want to be vaccinated.”
Dr. Anthony further explained that the once there is adequate persons to be vaccinated, the ministry will send in a team to vaccinate persons at various clinics across the country.
This, he said, is being done to minimise wastage and spoilage of the vaccine. Once the vaccine is removed from cold storage it cannot be refrozen and has to be used, Dr. Anthony said.
“You cannot start reducing the temperature and refreeze it, once you reduce the temperature you have to use the vaccine and that is what we have been doing,” Dr Anthony said.
Overall, 367,645 (71.7 per cent) adults have received their first dose COVID-19 vaccines; while 223,787 (43.5 per cent) are fully vaccinated.
As it relates to vaccination in children aged 12-18, 25,787 (35.4 per cent) have received their first dose and 15,196 (20.8 per cent) are fully vaccinated.
Minister Anthony revealed that by the end of the week, the data on the vaccination campaign in pregnant and breastfeeding women will be available.
Other hotspots
Apart from Wakapoa, other hotspot communities in Region Three include; Tuschen (94 cases), Parfaite Harmonie (62 cases), Crane (57 cases), Vreed-en-Hoop (54 cases), Zeelugt (53 cases), Pouderoyen (52 cases), Cornelia Ida (52 cases), Hague (47 cases), Parika (47 cases) and La Grange (42 cases).
East Bank Demerara: Diamond (90 cases), Grove (73 cases), Herstelling (32 cases), Soesdyke (31 cases) and Eccles (30 cases).
East Coast Demerara: Mon Repos (32 cases), Victoria (31 cases) and Non-Pareil (27 cases).
Georgetown: Sophia (76 cases), Kitty (45 cases), Campbellville (39 cases), Lodge (37 cases), South Ruimveldt (35 cases), Alberttown (32 cases) and West Ruimvedlt (31 cases).
New Amsterdam, Region Six (28 cases).
Bartica, Region Seven (79 cases).
Aishalton, Region Nine (20 cases).
Region 10: Wismar (62 cases) and Amelia’s Ward (32 cases).
Additionally, there are 122 patients in hospitals across Guyana with 83 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, with 29 patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
