Guyana: COVID-19 cases up to 47

Local health authorities have recorded two new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease over the past 24 hours, taking the number of confirmed cases to 47.

According to information from the Ministry of Public Health, while the number of cases has escalated, the number of deaths remains at six. Five persons are being treated within the COVID-19 intensive care Unit (ICU).

Health authorities have thus far tested 213 persons, of which 47 were positive, and 166 were negative. There are 33 persons in institutional isolation and 19 persons in institutional quarantine. Globally, there are over 1.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 105,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there's no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. Within the absence of approved medication, governments and authorities across the world have employed a variety of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease.

President David Granger in an address to the State Saturday evening said Guyana is in line to receive approximately 30,000 masks, variety of ventilators and other medical equipment from the People's Republic of China because it ups its fight against COVID-19. Added to it, the country has turned to the govt of India for financial assistance.

According to President Granger, the fight requires unprecedented expenditure and outlay of resources to enable identification and testing, isolation, protection and treatment. These added resources will complement systems already in place to suppress the spread of the virus and supply appropriate medical attention.

Saturday (April 11) marked one month since COVID-19 claimed the lifetime of the first Guyanese here. The lady – 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall — had returned to Guyana from the united states days before she succumbed. Since then, the number of recorded cases and deaths have increased.

The Head of State said he was pleased to own learnt of the recovery of the eight persons who had initially tested positive for the disease. "I wish the other infected persons speedy and complete recovery," he said. COVID-19, President Granger said, could be a "pernicious" killer who has launched a vicious attack on humankind globally, irrespective of race, region, religion, or economic status and Guyana has not been spared.

Though the govt through the Ministry of Public Health is in consultation with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), has initiated several measures to safeguard the well-being of its people, the President has acknowledged that the journey ahead remains a difficult one.

While persons who become ill should have access to the most effective care within the shortest possible time to make sure their recovery and rehabilitation, President Granger said understandably, the national focus is on people who are infected and afflicted.

As the country wages war against the deadly disease, the head of State said the efforts of the country's frontline workers, specifically, those within the medical field, shouldn't go unnoticed.

"I ask you, however, to think tenderly of our public health professionals and repair providers, that's to mention, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and everyone other supporting staff – medical and non-medical – who are providing the desired take care of those in distress.

Public health practitioners are on the frontline of protecting those suffering from the disease. They need to be working tirelessly through this tough situation to provide quality healthcare to people who are infected and afflicted. Everyone within the public health system has played a significant part within the fight against this disease," he said.

He said while the general public has been instructed to 'stay at home,' in physical isolation, the country's health professionals are required to leave their homes and families, daily, to work within the health centres, hospitals quarantine stations and other institutions as they are doing their part to combat the disease.

"Every day, they report for duty to figure in conditions that might be dangerous to their health and safety. Allow us to consider these public servants and employees in private institutions who are putting their lives on the line. We all should ponder their personal, physical, psychological and emotional needs which, day after day, they're pressed beyond measure to handle most human suffering. We must always not take their service for granted," he said.

The President called on all Guyanese to still support the country's frontline workers as they execute their duties. "They are the sinews of our health services. We must protect and respect them. We are eternally grateful for his or her exertions during these trying times. Their dedication is valued," he posited.