Guyana records highest COVID cases in 24 hrs, Health Minister fears toll will increase

Guyana recorded the highest number of COVID19 infections in 24 hours on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted. The island recorded 485 fresh coronavirus cases in just one day. 

The data was shared by the health minister during a press conference conducted on Tuesday. He feared that these statistics might soar on a high level as new COVID-19 variants were being discovered by the health experts. 

“These numbers would go further,” he asserted while addressing the media. He added that the hospitalisations are also increasing in Guyana, noting that 64 individuals were admitted to the hospital facilities in just 24 hours. 

With the arrival of these numbers, at present, the Caribbean island is having more than 1 824 active cases of the contagious COVID19 virus. Region 4 has the highest number of COVID-19 cases, with a 1,138 count. 

The health minister further informed there are high chances that the COVID-19 positivity rate in the Regions Six, Three, Two, and Nine will gradually witness an increase. These regions currently have the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate.

“With the omicron variant, it is highly contagious; the numbers double every 4 days or so. If people are not taking precautions, more and more people are going to get sick,” the health minister highlighted while asking the general public of the island to strictly follow the COVID-19 health guidelines, which are put in place by the Guyanese government. 

As per to the vaccination data, a total of 52.3 percent of the total targeted population(411,081) is vaccinated by receiving the first dose of the COVID19 vaccine. 

On the other hand, around 37.5 percent (295,325) of the total population has received the required amount of the COVID19 jabs and are now fully inoculated against the contagious virus in Guyana. 

The health minister furthermore encouraged the Guyanese citizens to come forward and get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible.