MoPH appeals to miners to test for COVID-19

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 15, 2020

The Ministry of Public Health has appealed to persons in the mining sector who work in interior locations to learn their COVID-19 status.

The call came from Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, who noted that there are members of the sector who have been on the coast for some time and are anticipating a return to their job in the interior.

She advised that if these persons are feeling unwell or are displaying signs of the virus, they must seek medical assistance before returning to the mining community.

She further explained, “that if any member of the mining camp has signs and symptoms of this disease they should be immediately isolated on camp and contact made with the nearest health facility so that guidance is given.”

In today’s daily update the DCMO also explained that some COVID-19 positive cases are asymptomatic; which means that they are carriers of the virus but are not manifesting any signs and symptoms.

“You should note that over 35 percent of our COVID-19 cases were actually asymptomatic- had no typical signs or symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath etc. So even if your temperature is normal YOU HAVE to continue to behave as if you have the virus,” she warned.

Dr. Gordon-Boyle also re-emphasised the importance of temperature reading as part of the screening process for COVID-19. This screening identifies persons with high body temperature as fever is one of the symptoms of infection.

“Your temperature may be normal but that does not mean that you are not infected with the coronavirus. So, you must continue to wear your mask, wash your hands frequently, maintain physical distancing, stay at home and immediately report to the COVID Hotline should any symptoms arise,” the DCMO instructed.