NEWS
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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Streak of no new COVID-19 cases continues for 5th day
G
uyana is beginning to witness a positive trend in its COVID-19 curve, after no new cases were reported for the fifth day. For now, positive cases remain at 153. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen GordonBoyle revealed on Friday that no new cases have been reported since Sunday. This means that the total number of cases remains at 153, while the number of deaths is at 12. Dr Gordon-Boyle has said that another 32 samples were tested, and to date, the total number of persons tested is 1,752, with 1,599 returning negative. Some 77 recoveries were
recorded, she said, with 64 active cases being in institutional isolation, three patients in the COVID ICU, and 14 persons in institutional quarantine. The DCMO reminded that if this trend continues and all guidelines are followed, the country would be on its way to flatten the curve completely. As such, she has asked citizens not to become complacent.
Cannot be complacent
“Even though there has been no new case over the past five days, we cannot become complacent. If we keep this up, following all guidelines, we will be on our way
to limiting transmission and flattening the curve, making the return to normalcy sooner than later. I exhort you, therefore, to do the appropriate thing and let us together defy the coronavirus disease,” she requested. According to Dr GordonBoyle, Residents of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have an increased vulnerability to the virus, given the increased cases in Venezuela. Village leaders have been asked to refuse persons entry into their communities if those persons have crossed the borders. “We are calling on the toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not
M&TC flouts Health Committee’s recommendations to close Linden markets
Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian
A
s Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) continues to see an increase in the number of coronavirus cases, the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC) of Region 10 said that it is displeased that the advice that was given to the Mayor and Town Council of Linden, to close the markets for three days has not been accepted and is, therefore, asking the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) to intervene. The RHEC expressed that it had several discussions on the matter at their trice weekly meetings at which the Chairman of RHEC was man-
dated to pen a correspondence to M&TC formally expressing its concern and the need to act expeditiously. They revealed that Mayor Waneka Arrindell responded through electronic means, stating that the M&TC will make every effort to sanitise. RHEC indicated that the Mayor said that her Council has sought to do some sanitisation, stating that a number of places have been sanitised. However, on the issue of market days, she didn’t respond, only stating that the markets are a main source of income for the Council. “The markets will remain as it is, open every day of the week. It is clear that the issue of closing the markets for three days to maximise social distancing was not taken on board,” RHEC said on Friday. Regional Chairman Renis Morian underscored that he is disappointed at the Mayor and the Council’s actions, taking into account that she was one of the persons from the inception who had suggested a number of stringent measures to be adopted by the town in combating the virus. “The markets cannot be so important that people’s lives and safety do not matter and
the Council should be held accountable and responsible for their inaction on the issue,” Morian said. Also, Head of the RHEC, Orrin Gordon echoed similar sentiments, arguing that while he understands that revenue is of paramount importance, the Mayor and her Council should remain cognisant that immediate and stringent action has to be taken as the lives and safety of residents are at risk with the continued non-monitoring of the markets where persons feel free to congregate in larger than provided for numbers. President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Victor Fernandes stressed that all the Committee seeks to do is to ensure that non-essential activities/services are not permitted, especially considering the large crowds that gather in the markets to drink. “I believe that the Council is seeking sympathy from the vendors and workers so when we (RHEC) take action and forced closure of the markets they may use it as an excuse for being unable to pay employees but they must be cognisant that we are seeking to take preventive actions that help our residents’ wellbeing,” he said.
More of Mingo’s...
As such, he continued, “If the Liberty and Justice Party can account for 20 per cent of that seat, then we spend 20 per cent of the time in Parliament and the rest is allocated differ-
ent percentages.” This has never been done before in Guyana, and while the laws make provision for such an alliance, it does not dictate how the division of the
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seat among the signatories to that alliance occurs. As a result, Shuman said that the Election Commission will have to provide guidance on this.
Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell
The Committee further expressed the view that if the infection numbers increase in
Region 10, the Mayor and her Council’s inert response would be dubbed as contributory. RHEC recently started intensifying its efforts to eliminate the spread of the deadly virus in Region 10, by adding a new health and safety feature, which is a temperature testing site that is presently set up at the entry into Linden at Bamia, along the LindenSoesdyke Highway. Vehicles are now being sprayed at the checkpoint, which serves as a main security entrance into the region. On Wednesday, the region recorded its 10th COVID-19 case, with one death linked to the virus.
cross borders, and that persons from those other countries are not entering your community. Community members, (you) must report any migrant entering your community, and anyone who has signs and symptoms; and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” she pleaded. Persons experiencing symptoms or those who had had contact with a positive case can call the hotline; make contact with the health facility nearest, or visit one of the COVID-19 facilities. Global figures have reached alarming heights, with 6,416,828 cases and 382,867 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases is 3,022,824 with 168,553 deaths.
Depleted blood reserves
With blood drives having been cancelled, the DCMO has informed that the reserves are depleted. She pleaded with donors to visit the blood bank or other supplementary centres where they can contribute to saving lives. “The need for blood donations from voluntary donors will remain throughout the pandemic. There is a need to continually replenish the blood supply and ensure its availability for our patients. Most blood drives are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 measures, and so our supply is depleted,” she explained. Guyana will, on June 14, join the world in celebration of Blood Donor Day.
