Zero active COVID-19 cases in Region One – RHO
—Regional health department reviewing response to prevent new infections
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 5, 2020
After three months of the COVID-19 situation in Region One spiralling out of control, there are reports of the region being COVID free. The last reported number of confirmed cases in the region was 102, of these 89 cases were from the Moruca sub-district.
The Regional Health Officer, Dr. Steven Cheefoon, reported on Wednesday that all the confirmed cases have recovered. While this is noteworthy, he indicated that the system which has been tailored to respond to COVID-19 is being assessed.
“We do not have any cases in our isolation facilities however we have taken the opportunity now to review our system to ensure whatever gaps we would have experienced dealing with COVID-19, we can correct those now and go forward,” the RHO explained.
Additionally, he noted that there is a system in place to ensure that referral cases coming out of the region are not infected with the virus.
Non-emergency cases which are to be referred must be screened and tested for COVID-19 for their statuses to be verified before seeking medical attention at another health facility.
It was noted that the lockdown period in Moruca, from July 6 to August 3 has contributed significantly to the virus being contained and for the eventual recovery of active cases.
Dr. Cheefoon said, “The Moruca sub-district is doing much better. The patients are more adherent, everybody appears to be following guidelines and we seem to have it under control now, however, screening is still paramount. We have a new screening site at the Moruca landing and that site will function to ensure we capture everyone.”
Region One recorded its first COVID-19 case in April, Moruca recorded their first case May. The Ministry of Public Health collaborated with the Ministry of Communities, the Civil Defense Commission, the Guyana Defense and Police Forces along with other agencies to effectively respond to COVID-19.