Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud has blasted those Guyanese nationals who were repatriated and have provided false contact information to the authorities.

The Public Health Ministry released three lists of more than 40 persons who could not be contacted. Some of them provided incorrect contact information, while others never answered the numbers they provided.

At least 10 persons who recently returned from abroad and should have remained home for seven straight days were found to have broken the home quarantine.

The Chief Medical Officer described their action as selfish.

He said the “irresponsible and selfish act is putting your life and the lives of our citizens at risk and placing undue pressure on our health workers and health system. I, therefore, wish to remind you that the stipulated quarantine that you signed on to, in your effort to return home is important and is for your protection. Arriving with a negative PCR test does not prevent you from contracting COVID-19, while traveling or on arrival in Guyana; remember you are still at risk hence the reason we want to check on you to ensure that you are not experiencing any signs or symptoms.”

Dr. Persaud said those citizens that provided the incorrect information are deliberately defying the terms of their repatriation and making it difficult for those who are still waiting to be repatriated. 

Two more repatriation flights are expected early next week from the United States and more than 150 Guyanese in Canada are still awaiting their turn to be repatriated.

“I take this opportunity to remind you that the safety of your fellow Guyanese is dependent on your staying home until your quarantine period is completed and that your adherence to these guidelines makes the return of your fellow nationals possible”, Dr. Persaud reminded.

A total of 78 tests for the coronavirus were completed over the past 24 hours. Of those 78 tests, three persons were tested positive for the disease, taking the total number of active cases back up to 90.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud revealed today that 1 person remains a patient in the COVID-19 unit while the total number of recoveries has climbed to 107.

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