Guyana records 18th COVID-19 death, cases move to 313

Jul 16, 2020 News

The Ministry of Public Health yesterday confirmed the country’s 18th COVID-19 related fatality. The victim has been identified as 74-year-old Milton Paul, a resident of Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

According to information released by the Ministry, Paul died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday July 12.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr. Karen Boyle

Dr. Edward Sagala, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region 7

A source from the hospital told Kaieteur News that the elderly man was taken to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit on Saturday July 11, last. He was subsequently moved to the transition ward the following day where he succumbed.
It is understood that samples were taken from the deceased for a COVID-19 test but he died before the results were received. The test result came back positive and the Ministry confirmed Paul as the latest COVID-19 related fatality.
Last Saturday, 69-year-old Geerjadai Jagnarine succumbed to COVID-19 related complications in the isolation unit of the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
It was further noted by the Ministry that in approximately 17 days, Guyana recorded a total of six new Covid-19 deaths. Yesterday, Guyana also recorded five new cases of the disease bringing the number of confirmed cases to 313. According to Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, “roughly 50%” of these cases or 156 persons have recovered.
There are currently 139 persons in institutional isolation, 10 persons in institutional quarantine, and five persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
REGION SEVEN
Dr. Edward Sagala, Regional Health Officer (RHO), for the Cuyuni-Mazaruni’s (Region Seven) Health Emergency Committee, stated that the Region has a total of 48 positive cases with Bartica accounting for 11 of these. Meanwhile, there are 17 Individuals in institutional isolation in the district. The Region has also accounted for one of 18 COVID- 19 related deaths.
Kaieteur News understands that Abdool Khan, a 34-year-old businessman, succumbed to the virus on July 1 at the GPHC; the young man who was in the COVID-19 ICU since June 22 was the first confirmed case for the Town of Bartica. Four of his relatives including his three-year-old daughter have since tested positive.
The release also listed Aranka, Oku and Bartica as areas of concern. Aranka comes in second to Moruca, for the highest number of cases locally.
VISITING TEAM
Kaieteur News understands that the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Region Seven Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will be conducting a three-day visit to three frontline villages Arau, Kaikan and Eteringbang, from July 15, 2020 to July 18, 2020.
Activities to be conducted during the visit include the setting up of three pre-fabricated houses to be used as isolation facilities in each village, assessments of the movement of persons and their adherence to the Covid-19 prevention measures in each village, and screening inclusive of sampling for Covid-19.
Refresher training for health care providers in these locations is also on the agenda.
The visiting team will supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), medication and other medical supplies, including vaccines for children.