Public compliance can help flatten COVID-19 infection curve – DCMO
−Lessons to be learnt from other countries
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Public compliance is crucial to the flattening of the novel coronavirus curve. This observation was underscored by Guyana’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle.
The DCMO cited the fact that other countries that are now seeing a decline in new COVID-19 cases is in large part due to the implementation of strict measures and importantly the disciplined participation of citizens.
Dr. Gordon-Boyle noted that “those citizens would have stayed at home when they were advised to, maintained the physical distancing in public spaces, washed their hands before eating, touching their face and before engaging in activities with others, cleaned the surfaces in their homes and places of work as often as possible and reached out for medical attention when unwell or if they were knowingly in contact with a positive case.”
Warning that situations in countries like Italy and neighbouring Brazil could well be the new reality for Guyana if citizens do not comply with safety measures and precautionary guidelines.
Highlighting that within the last 24 hours, Brazil, recorded more than 800 deaths, and the fact that Guyana recorded a case in its town nearest to the country, the DCMO called on Region 9 residents to be more vigilant and report any unofficial crossings between the two countries.
“Region 9 residents, I hope that you are taking note that you have a very important part to play in protecting the communities bordering Brazil,” she urged.
“My dear Region 9 residents, I hope that you are taking note that you have a very important part to play in protecting the communities bordering Brazil.” The DCMO urged.
With infection and death rates of 11 percent and 8 percent respectively and recovering rate of 36 percent Dr. Gordon-Boyle emphasised that every citizen has a part to play in ensuring Guyana’s numbers do not continue to escalate.
Back in March, WHO noted that the global infection and death rate of the coronavirus was between two to four percent when calculated by the infected population.