All COVID-19 vaccination records have now been digitised, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony revealed on Wednesday, but he noted that in order to gain access to these records, a software system is needed.
“The ministry has put together a team; we have about 10 persons working on digitising those records and that work is continuing, we are working to ensure we can get an appropriate software,” Dr Anthony said during his daily COVID-19 update.
The government is still in discussions with the Indian government to utilise the Co-WIN software.
“Those discussions have not been concluded as yet but it is ongoing and we are hopeful that once those discussions conclude that we would be able to get the software,” Dr Anthony said.
The paper-based system currently in place has proven challenging for the government with a number of reports of forged and fake vaccination cards. Several healthcare workers have also been charged in recent months for forging these cards.
Meanwhile, as of December 7, 2021, 78.9 per cent of the population received one dose of a COVID vaccine; 55.4 per cent received their second dose. For children ages 12 to 18, 40.5 per cent received their first dose and 28.5 per cent received their second dose.
Dr Anthony said 3, 790 booster doses have also been administered.
There are currently 979 active COVID cases in Guyana. Hotspot areas are in Region Four (407 cases), Region Six (263) and Region Three (146 cases).
Of the 56 persons hospitalised, 43 are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital with 18 in the Intensive Care Unit.
Dr Anthony revealed that 35 patients are also receiving oxygen.
