MoPH seeking to tighten COVID-19 measures to reduce disease spread in hinterland

−73 new cases confirmed in three days

DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 3, 2020

The alarming spike in new COVID-19 cases has prompted the Ministry of Public Health to engage in stricter measures to contain the spread.

Within the past three days, 73 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Guyana bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 474, as of Monday, August 3, 2020. 

On Monday’s COVID-19 update, it was noted that the majority of the new cases emanated from Regions Nine and Seven. 

Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud disclosed that part of tightening measures is a rollout of mass screening and testing which is currently ongoing in these two regions.

Hundreds of tests have been conducted within past days along with continuous contact tracing. 

A recent breakdown indicated that Region Nine has 90 confirmed cases, Region Seven 96 confirmed cases, Region One 102 confirmed cases (more than half have recovered) and Region Eight has nine cases.

Dr. Persaud said the regional breakdown of cases shows that four regions account for almost 100 percent of all confirmed cases reported. 

“The regional distribution of positive cases is Region One with 22 percent, Region Seven, 20 percent, Region 9, 19percent, and Region 4, our most populated region with 29percent.”

The CMO again appealed to residents in these regions, especially those in communities near the borders.

“I appeal to you to halt the illicit cross border movement, look out for the migrants and report their presence immediately to the Authorities. On a personal level, I ask you to co-operate and comply with the regulations of social distancing and the hygiene etiquette.”