Siparuta imposes lockdown; Orealla restricting movements

−Govt teams remain in place to treat, monitor COVID-19 cases

Siparuta Village, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) has imposed a two-week lockdown from today to curb transmission of COVID-19. Orealla village has also imposed restrictions on movement to reduce the incidence of transmission.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony made this disclosure during Friday’s COVID-19 update.

He said the communities took the decision following advice from the Village Council, noting that the National COVID-19 Task Force did not impose the lockdown.

“We did not advise them that they need to do a lockdown; they did that on their own and they have that right as a Village Council to make those decisions. On their own they decided that they want to have a restriction of movements and they have imposed that.”

At the same time, Dr. Anthony said positive cases are expected to go up as testing has increased in the villages; however, the Government’s systems remain in place to cover these eventualities.

“Once you do self-isolation in the village itself, it will prevent transmission. We have a medical presence in those communities as well, and if we see any patient that moves from an asymptomatic case to a symptomatic, then we will be monitoring them more closely.  And, if there is a need, then we will bring them out to one of our hospital facilities where they can get additional care if that is required. So, we have a system that is set up.”

In the meantime, medical teams are continuing to monitor St Cuthbert’s Mission, which has about 20 active cases. New Amsterdam is also being monitored after showing some positive cases during this week.