Region Three working to contain COVID-19 transmission

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 4, 2020

Regional Health Officer of Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region, Dr. Cerdel McWatt has outlined that the district is taking all the necessary steps to reduce COVID-19 transmission and contain the spread.

On Thursday, during the Ministry of Public Health’s update, he outlined the activities which have been embarked upon by the Regional Health Emergency Committee which meets every 48 hours to actively respond to the presence of the virus in the region.

As of June 4, Region Three has recorded 14 positive Coronavirus cases. Dr.  McWatt noted that the region has quarantine facilities for suspected cases and isolation facilities for those testing positive.

Relatives of Guyana’s initial COVID-19 case were isolated and observed in the region’s step-down care facility and it has been functioning as an isolation facility ever since.

While the region is prepared in this regard, other measures have been implemented to detect possible COVID-19 cases and subject them to immediate quarantine where they will be tested.

Checkpoints for screening has been established at the Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika stellings, and at the Hubu and Demerara Harbour bridges. Checkpoints have been set up at other locations as well.

Added to this Dr.  McWatt disclosed that all health facilities are ensuring that persons are screened before entering.

The region’s testing capacity is being maximised as the Mobile unit was recently in La Parfaite Harmonie and Cornelie Ida allowing residents to have their samples collected for testing.

This can also be done at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Dr. Mc Watt took this opportunity to appeal to the residents in the region to stay safe by practising the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves from being exposed to COVID-19.