With a surge in COVID-19 cases in Guyana, the government is closely monitoring several areas that are now classified as hotspots for the new coronavirus in Region Four.
At his daily COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, that Lusignan and Success on the East Coast of Demerara and Eccles and Diamond on the east bank of Demerara are the hotspots for Region Four, the largest regional administration in Guyana.
He said there was also an increase in cases in Districts Three and Seven.
“There are pockets where we see more cases, but generally when we look across, say the East Coast, or Georgetown, or the East Bank, almost [in] each village, there are one or two cases.
“Similarly, in Region Three in Tuschen, [East Bank Essequibo], we are seeing more cases [so] we must continue to monitor. ”
Guyana is dealing with a more deadly third wave of the terrible virus, which has claimed 273 lives in Guyana; 38 patients have died in this month alone so far. This new wave is now attacking the younger population and more people are being admitted to hospital, authorities had reported.
Although the government has strict measures in place to curb the spread of the virus, the Health Minister said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that they are adhered to.
“All of this can be avoided if people are doing the right thing and I think it is, we are trying to appeal to people to do it because we are all in this together and if you are going to break the rules, then you’re not only putting yourself in danger but you’re putting others at risk, ”Dr Anthony lamented.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister praised Guyana’s ongoing aggressive vaccination campaign COVID-19 which has seen more than 90,000 citizens receive their first injection.
And that number continues to climb with thousands of Guyanese lining up at vaccination sites across the country.
On this, Dr Anthony said: “The response has been good, over the last few days and now, on average, we’re getting about 6,000 people coming out and we hope we can improve that and get more people out and get more people vaccinated faster. ”
Although there have been concerns about a shortage of vaccines, the Health Minister assured that everyone who has received their first dose – whether it’s Sinopharm, Sputnik V or AstraZeneca – has large stock stored to ensure the second dose is given.