Possibility of COVID-19 transmission greater in Regions 1, 7
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 22, 2020
The Ministry of Public health has warned that given the concentration of the populations in Regions One and Seven, the chances of more persons being infected is greater.
This was explained by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer(DCMO), Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle using random infection numbers from the two regions.
The DCMO said in Region One where the population is 26, 941 and 98 cases are recorded, the infection rate per 100,000 would be 363. Likewise, in Region Seven where the population is 20,280 and 56 COVID-19 cases are recorded, the infection rate per 100,000 would be 276.
| Region | Positive Cases | Population | Cases per 100,000 |
| 1 | 98 | 26,941 | 363 |
| 4 | 120 | 313,429 | 38 |
| 7 | 56 | 20,280 | 276 |
| 9 | 18 | 24,212 | 74 |
| Total | 334 |
Table showing Incidence rate by Region per 100,000 population
In comparison Region Four which still has the most positive cases in the country has a smaller incidence rate because of its larger population. The Demerara -Mahaica district has a population of 313,429 persons and has recorded 120 cases to date,
“Even though the numbers in Region Four are higher, you are on average 9.5 times more likely to be infected in Region One than in Region Four and you are 7 times more likely to get infected in Region Seven than in Region Four. This is because the concentration of infections by population in regions One and Seven is far higher than in Region Four,” Dr. Gordon Boyle explained.
She noted that Regions One and Seven, have the highest percentage of active cases. Meanwhile, new cases have been continually reported in some regions over the last two weeks
“Attention must be focused on the other regions, in particular Region Nine where their cases have been spiking in the last two weeks. July has been a significant month with Region One reporting 5 cases, Region Four 4 cases, Region Seven 15 cases and Region Nine 6 cases.” Dr. Gordon-Boyle detailed.
She cautioned that over the next few weeks, strict monitoring must ensue in these regions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.