One year after first case; Guyana still struggling to curb COVID pandemic

Today marked one year since Guyana recorded its first case of Coronavirus and its first COVID-19 related death.

One year later, the number of confirmed cases and deaths continues to rise as the Health Ministry appears to be placing all bets on the COVID-19 vaccine to stem the steep increase in numbers.

In its latest report, the Ministry of Health revealed that the country has recorded 65 new cases of the disease in the past 24 hours with the death toll climbing to 206 following the death of a 39-year-old Region 10 woman.

Over 80 new cases were recorded just yesterday.

In total, since the first case in March 2020, the country has recorded 8,992 additional cases. More than 8200 persons have made full recoveries.

When the pandemic first knocked at Guyana’s door, an emergency plan was unveiled and a strick 6pm to 6am curfew was instituted.

The curfew and most of the measures that were put in place last year have since been relaxed and the relaxation of those measures is being done at a time when the cases are still climbing.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony is now encouraging citizens over the age of 60 to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health workers were the first to be offered the vaccine and now those age 60 years and older are being offered the shot. Other frontline workers and essential persons are to be next in line for the vaccines.

The country has so far received just over 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines. An additional 100,000 doses are expected soon.

There are still calls for the Government to ensure more enforcement of the COVID-19 restrictions, even as the business community continues to push for more reopening of the country.